Transparency
(Photo via iStock)

Seeking information from Pittsburgh or Allegheny County? About half of formal requests are deemed ‘public records’

By |

In the past four years, residents and journalists have filed at least 4,540 requests for public records with the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. About half the time, the city or county agreed to release all or some of the records.

While the city granted more records than the county, city records came at a higher price. The city charged requesters a total of $13,000 in copying and other costs, showing its reliance on paper records. In all but six cases, the county released records at no cost and in digital format whenever requested.

DEVELOP PGH
A cement truck passes by Foundry 41 at 41st and Willow streets in Lawrenceville. (Photo by John Altdorfer/PublicSource)

Inclusionary zoning could help Pittsburgh generate more affordable housing, but progress has taken years

By |

During the past five years, campaign pledges and task forces aimed at boosting affordable housing in Pittsburgh have pointed to the need for an inclusionary zoning [IZ] policy. More than 800 jurisdictions across the country have implemented IZ policies. So, what is IZ? How is Pittsburgh implementing it? And will the policy tool ease housing costs for low-income Pittsburghers?

VIDEO

Watch: The First Amendment comes to life in Pittsburgh

By |

What does the First Amendment look like in practice? In Pittsburgh, it looks like men and women gathered in prayer at First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, Rodef Shalom or the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh. It looks like journalists asking questions and holding those in power accountable, or demonstrators outside a federal courthouse on Grant Street protesting immigration policy.

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

By |

Compelling personal stories
told by the people living them.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).