Let's talk about RACE

The police officers behind the senseless killings of black men nationwide are not only bad examples, they’re dream killers

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Editor’s Note: As journalists, we spend a lot of time talking with officials and community members and distilling it into stories that explore important issues of our time. But we realize that sometimes it is just more powerful to hear it straight from the source. This is one of those times. The essay is a special feature timed for Mother's Day and the Brown Mamas Monologues* happening May 12. For as long as I can remember, my son Dion has wanted to be a football player and a policeman (and a pizza maker and a race car driver).

IN-DEPTH

As the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announces mergers, here’s what it means for parishioners and church buildings left behind

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In September 2017, the diocese’s On Mission Commission announced initial recommendations for whittling the number of parishes down to 48. On Thursday, April 26, Zubik will share final plans for consolidations with priests and deacons before holding a press conference on April 28 to make the decisions public. Groupings will also be shared at weekend Masses and made available online. But how are parishioners affected when the diocese closes their home churches? And what happens to church buildings once their parishioners migrate and they’re left empty?

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Mark Kelly looks out over "The Run," where he has lived for nearly his entire life. (Photo by Ryan Loew/PublicSource)

The city has plans for a futuristic transit connector between Oakland and Hazelwood but residents of Four Mile Run fear disruption to their neighborhood

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The city and backers of Hazelwood Green have been looking to develop some kind of transit system that would bypass a congested Second Avenue along the Monongahela River and connect it to Oakland, an area busting with university tech talent. Wedged in the middle of Oakland and Hazelwood is The Run.

food policy
James Dreher, a 25-year-old student from Carrick, pours marinara sauce into separate containers at Community Kitchen Pittsburgh on Feb. 13, 2018. (Photo by John Hamilton/PublicSource)

‘Doing food different’ connects elementary students with a Pittsburgh program training people with barriers to employment

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The Community Kitchen caters, cooks for people experiencing homelessness and has contracts to provide food to five Pittsburgh-area schools. The tension between training its cooks and providing high-quality meals can create challenges, especially as the organization grows. But the Community Kitchen’s success doesn’t only depend on its ability to deliver lunches on time. The food is healthier than typical school lunches, and it has to find schools that can get kids to eat it.

food policy
Cafeteria worker Linda Buck prepares to check out students eating breakfast at North Hills Middle School in Ross Township. (Photo by Katie Blackley/90.5 WESA)

From ‘Grab and Go’ to ‘Second Chance,’ school districts are getting creative with their breakfast options

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Compared to the rest of the United States, Pennsylvania’s school breakfast participation is low. A recent Food Research and Action Center report ranked the state 41st in the country for accessing free and reduced-price breakfast. But with grants and creativity, districts in the region can eventually reach their breakfast goals, says Chris West, Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank Child Nutrition Outreach Coordinator.