Pittsburgh's Public Source: Deep, independent Pittsburgh news

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?

by Rebecca McCarthy

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

Economy & Housing

Data center fears and job hopes heard at virtual meeting on Springdale proposal

by Mia Hollie

Mon Valley

Data center proves a tough sell at Elizabeth Township town hall

by Lucas Dufalla

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WHO WE ARE

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

Voter guide 2026: Where candidates stand on ICE, war and data centers

by Charlie Wolfson

Economy & Housing

The oil market that sets today’s gas prices was invented in Western Pennsylvania

by Brian C. Black for The Conversation

Climate

Blackouts are getting worse. Here’s what Duquesne Light is doing — and what it won’t do.

by Lissa Brennan

Trump Impacts

Timeline: Feds subpoena Pitt, others alleging visa fraud

by Maddy Franklin

BREAKING NEWS

Health Department: Both children with measles attended same school

by Oliver Morrison

Quick Source

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More local news

First person

In Pittsburgh, as an autistic person, finding joy is often a challenging journey

by First-person essay by Eli Kurs-Lasky

Inside our Newsroom

Public Source’s reporting in Australia captures another statewide honor

by Halle Stockton

Investigations

City, county leaders want more diverse contracting from ALCOSAN

by Rich Lord

HEALTH

Second measles case confirmed in Allegheny County

by Oliver Morrison and Lajja Mistry

Environment

An orchard for all is taking root in Pittsburgh’s Highland Park

From apples and pears to the little-known hican nut, an acre of a city park will eventually be yours for the picking.

by Lissa Brennan

Investigations

Minority contractors largely absent from ALCOSAN’s billion-dollar tunnel plan

The sewer agency aims to steer 10% to 25% of project dollars to minority- or women-owned business enterprises. For its big dig along the Ohio River, the prime contract shows less than 1% of the work heading to MBEs, with 9% to WBEs.

by Rich Lord

Inside our Newsroom

Inside our newsroom: How your feedback is shaping our journalism

The town halls Pittsburgh’s Public Source held in March reflected our hunger for your insights. The conversations continue, and they’re reflected in our stories.

by Halle Stockton

Technology

Pittsburgh’s tech boom isn’t reaching every neighborhood, and many locals are skeptical of the future

A new survey of 200 residents surfaced simmering discontent. Leaders say manufacturing jobs, AI training and early VC could boost equitable economic growth.

by Alice Crow

Mon Valley

Records reveal sprawling data center and power plant plans for Elizabeth Township

A developer proposes as many as 28 data center buildings and a 1-gigawatt natural gas plant on a former U.S. Steel landfill. An environmental group opposes the project.

by Lucas Dufalla

Guest commentary

The arts don’t need more rooms. They need more hallways.

Encouraging writing In Westmoreland County, I learned a lesson that likely applies throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond: Artists and arts organizations should absolutely not stay in their lanes.

by Guest commentary by M. Allshouse

Election 2026

Voting by mail underway as usual in Allegheny County in 2026

Here’s how you can still return your ballot by mail or at a drop-off — or just take it to the polls on Nov. 3. The Supreme Court blocked Trump’s push for Postal Service vetting of mailed ballots.

by Charlie Wolfson

Food

Mapping new routes from farm to table in Pittsburgh

Farmers, food businesses and advocates meeting this week said the region needs clearer access to support, more opportunities to share costs and stronger connections between producers and buyers.

by Aakanksha Agarwal

Inside our Newsroom

Inside our newsroom: Why we made a $15ish Pittsburgh Meal Map

by Halle Stockton and Natasha Khan

First person

My mother grieved my transition. What if she’d had a chatbot?

I’m glad my mom didn’t have a chatbot in 2020. But I wrote the play “AURA” to explore how AI will change the way parents process queerness.

by First-person essay by Mal MacKenzie

HEALTH

Pennsylvania logging record numbers of problem gamblers, per new report

Gambling brought in a record $3 billion in tax revenue last year. Lawmakers in Harrisburg are discussing increasing revenue through legalized skill games, but have yet to address the spike in problem gambling.

by Oliver Morrison

Economy & Housing

Polish Hill split over proposed new shelter as zoning board delays hearing

Pittsburgh’s Zoning Board of Adjustment pushed to November its hearing on a plan to turn a vacant commercial building into a year-round, overnight shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Polish Hill residents have staked out a range of positions.

by Mia Hollie

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Home

Homeschool program challenges cease-and-desist order as hybrid options grow around Pittsburgh

What happened to Pennsylvania’s hydrogen hubs?

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

Data center fears and job hopes heard at virtual meeting on Springdale proposal

Data center proves a tough sell at Elizabeth Township town hall

WHO WE ARE

Voter guide 2026: Where candidates stand on ICE, war and data centers

The oil market that sets today’s gas prices was invented in Western Pennsylvania

Blackouts are getting worse. Here’s what Duquesne Light is doing — and what it won’t do.

Timeline: Feds subpoena Pitt, others alleging visa fraud

Health Department: Both children with measles attended same school

Quick Source

More local news

In Pittsburgh, as an autistic person, finding joy is often a challenging journey

Public Source’s reporting in Australia captures another statewide honor

City, county leaders want more diverse contracting from ALCOSAN

Second measles case confirmed in Allegheny County

Our nonprofit newsroom needs your support.

An orchard for all is taking root in Pittsburgh’s Highland Park

Minority contractors largely absent from ALCOSAN’s billion-dollar tunnel plan

Inside our newsroom: How your feedback is shaping our journalism

Pittsburgh’s tech boom isn’t reaching every neighborhood, and many locals are skeptical of the future

Records reveal sprawling data center and power plant plans for Elizabeth Township

The arts don’t need more rooms. They need more hallways.

Voting by mail underway as usual in Allegheny County in 2026

Mapping new routes from farm to table in Pittsburgh

Inside our newsroom: Why we made a $15ish Pittsburgh Meal Map

My mother grieved my transition. What if she’d had a chatbot?

Pennsylvania logging record numbers of problem gamblers, per new report

Polish Hill split over proposed new shelter as zoning board delays hearing

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