‘By us, for us.’ PPS students make decisions on how to spend ESSER funds
Wayne Walters, superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools [PPS], calls himself “unapologetically student-first.” In an attempt to elevate student voices, Walters has introduced an initiative that will allow PPS students to have a say in how a fraction of the state-received American Rescue Plan [ARP] Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief [ESSER] funds could be used. …
Allegheny County Health Department seeks Clean Air Fund dollars amid fiscal turbulence
The Clean Air Fund receives penalties paid by polluters. The county wants to access more of that money to cover the operations of its Air Quality Program, potentially limiting the amount that goes to community initiatives.
Fentanyl test strips are finally legal, but the deadly drug is already widespread
Carter Graves regularly used meth in 2014 and wanted to be able to test their drugs for fentanyl, an extremely strong and addictive opioid that can be laced into various drugs. But fentanyl test strips, when they could be found, seemed to be unreliable. Friends said the strips often produced false positives. “I would have…
Pittsburgh’s push for rental registration nixed by appeals court
The case is a clash of laws dating back to an ordinance passed by Pittsburgh City Council in 2015.
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Pitt has launched a program to support students in crisis. It’s unclear how well it’s working.
The university has not yet begun a formal review of the program, which allows mental health professionals to join campus police in responding to some students in crisis.
What’s next for PA schools? The state Ed Department isn’t talking, but Pittsburgh educators and advocates are
PublicSource spoke to five Pittsburgh-area educators and advocates about the state of education in the region and their expectations from Pennsylvania’s acting education secretary. The state declined to address their concerns.
Rule to protect public health during Mon Valley inversions is not working, Allegheny County Council hears
The Mon Valley Episode Rule, in place since 2021, doesn’t do enough, soon enough, to prevent health damage, speakers tell council as the review of regulation begins.
At Pitt, CMU, ‘We’re workers when they want us to be, but then we’re graduate students when they don’t want to pay us’
Graduate student workers at Pittsburgh’s largest universities join nationwide push for better and more equitable pay.
A freshman founder takes us on an entrepreneurial journey of doubts and triumph | S4, Ep. 10
In a candid conversation, high school freshman Jazmiere Bates opens up about her experiences as an entrepreneur and the challenges she’s had to overcome to establish her brand. She shares her journey, including the inspiration and dedication that goes into…
UPrep’s resets: A school meant to bring Pitt’s resources to Hill students goes back to the drawing board
“The name University Prep is something that carries over from the initial vision for the school,” UPrep Principal Eric Graf said. “In the years since it’s been established, that vision has atrophied and changed. And in many ways, ‘UPrep’ has…
Graduating in Pennsylvania is about to get more complicated. Are schools ready?
As the school year began in August, Pittsburgh Public Schools [PPS] mailed students’ households notification of a law passed four years earlier that is about to change the way graduation is determined statewide.
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A hateful anti-trans radio ad brought flashbacks to dark moments and places — but also motivation
The radio played a familiar early 2000s Mariah Carey tune, which made me nostalgic. Then an advertisement began to play. A familiar-sounding voice began to talk about “boys taking estrogen” and “girls growing facial hair.” I immediately went on alert. It was the same type of rhetoric that had followed me in my early transition.
Assessing the odds: This year’s unusual property tax appeal season, explained
Through March 31, Allegheny County property owners have unusual opportunities to reduce their tax bills. But not everyone will benefit. Normally, owners have until March 31 of any given year to challenge the assessment underlying that year’s property tax bill. That remains the case this year. But in addition to being able to challenge 2023…
Tables turn on Allegheny County assessments, as new math favors owners over tax collectors, schools
Things are looking up for potentially thousands of homeowners across Allegheny County, after a lawsuit last year changed how some properties are assessed. Property owners have until March 31 to appeal and potentially lower their tax bills by hundreds or thousands of dollars per year. If many of them do appeal, school districts and municipalities…
Update: McKeesport 10th Ward water tests below maximum contaminant levels for ‘forever chemicals,’ per revised results
After 18 months of water worries in the Tube City’s 10th Ward, neighbors grapple with conflicting test results and changing standards for PFAS.
Out with the old bank and in with the new bank
The existing building was constructed in 1969 and 1970, originally housing a Mellon Bank branch. For the last three years, the current owner, Citizens Bank, has sought approval to demolish the current building in favor of new construction.
Rising violence draws $50 million public health commitment from Allegheny County
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has committed $50 million over five years toward funding partnerships with community organizations taking public health approaches to preventing gun violence. “This effort is intended to be coordinated at the county level but implemented locally,” Fitzgerald said in a press release Tuesday afternoon. “The organizations receiving funding, and the people…
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