Across the Pittsburgh region, residents are showing up, speaking out and paying attention to the decisions shaping their communities.
They are attending public meetings, protesting proposed developments, questioning school closures and asking elected officials to account for their promises. Public Source is there, too — monitoring the actions of local officials, explaining how public decisions are made and giving people the information they need to participate in civic life.
As we pass the halfway point of 2026, we’re taking stock of some of the journalism our newsroom has produced and looking ahead to the work still to come.
Following a new city administration
Corey O’Connor took office as Pittsburgh’s mayor in January, beginning a new chapter for city government.
During his first six months, Public Source tracked the mayor’s daily schedule, examined his early priorities and followed his progress on the promises he made during the campaign. That work is part of our commitment to helping Pittsburgh residents understand not only what public officials say, but what they do once they are in office.
Covering decisions about housing and development
Affordability remains one of the most pressing concerns we hear from readers.
Our reporting has followed how Pittsburgh is responding to the need for more affordable housing, including debates over inclusionary zoning, public investments and other policy decisions that could shape who is able to live in the city and surrounding communities.
We have also reported on proposed data centers in Southwestern Pennsylvania, examining their potential effects and documenting how residents are responding to developments that could change their communities.
Explaining what school changes mean for neighborhoods
School closures and consolidations affect far more than buildings and district budgets. They can reshape neighborhoods, alter students’ daily lives and change how families experience their communities.
Public Source has followed proposals at Pittsburgh Public Schools and nearby districts, explaining why leaders are considering closures and consolidations and what those decisions could mean for students, families and neighborhoods.
State to explore consolidation of Duquesne, McKeesport schools
What comes next
The news will not slow down during the second half of 2026.
We’ll continue following the O’Connor administration, reporting on housing and affordability, examining major development proposals and explaining consequential decisions by school boards, city officials and other public institutions.
We’ll also continue listening to residents about the issues affecting their lives and looking for ways to make our journalism useful, accessible and responsive to the region we serve.
Public Source is an independent, nonprofit newsroom, and reader support makes this work possible. Donations help us keep this journalism available to everyone, without a paywall.
Halle Stockton is the editor-in-chief and co-executive director of Pittsburgh’s Public Source. She can be reached at halle@publicsource.org.
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