PublicSource

08/20/2025

As an “overwhelmingly supportive” mother, Nicole stood by her son on his path to gender-affirming care. Now, she fears parents could one day face prosecution for helping their children.

When UPMC ended gender-affirming care for minors, Lee and his mom faced fear, confusion and a fight to continue treatment in Pittsburgh.

08/20/2025

Testing for unhealthy materials and conditions has slackened, and efforts to remediate risks to student health are few, Women for a Healthy Environment found in a repeat survey of school districts.

The report outlines environmental risks, health consequences and policy recommendations aimed at safeguarding long-term well-being for the state’s schoolchildren.

The program requested data from a representative 166 of the state’s 500 school districts for the school years 2018 to 2022 to determine the extent to which those districts were complying with recognized environmental standards and track improvements since the last evaluation, issued in 2021.

WHE asked for detailed data on lead testing in water, overall water quality, lead paint, mold, air quality, anti-idling measures, use of pesticides, green cleaning materials, expansion of artificial turf fields and records of construction or renovations. They also sought updates on HVAC systems and the use of federal pandemic-relief funds for emergency preparedness.

Read more at publicsource.org

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08/20/2025

Students returning to Pennsylvania classrooms are likely to encounter unhealthy mold, radon and lead, and districts are moving slowly to remediate environmental hazards, according to a report issued by a Pittsburgh-based advocacy group today.

Testing for unhealthy materials and conditions has slackened, and efforts to remediate risks to student health are few, Women for a Healthy Environment found in a repeat survey of school districts.

08/20/2025

As Pennsylvania leaders aspire to set the state up as an AI and data center hub, the commonwealth is one of the first states to examine generative AI usage across the state government. Local governments are set to follow. (From partner Next Generation Newsroom)

Pennsylvania launched a year-long generative AI pilot program with 175 employees across 14 agencies incorporating ChatGPT Enterprise into their work, including brainstorming ideas or proofreading documents.

08/19/2025

Science on the sidewalks and books on wheels — meet the curiosity drivers who deliver learning programs to youth facing housing insecurity in our region. https://buff.ly/fr9mDho

08/19/2025

Lee was devastated when he learned he could no longer receive gender-affirming treatment at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). “You feel like you’re starting from rock bottom,” said Lee, who plans to start classes at Pittsburgh’s Carlow University this month.

The sudden disruption of care brought national policy directly into Lee’s home. On June 30, UPMC cut gender-affirming care for patients under 19, citing compliance with a January executive order from President Donald Trump. However, the care remains legal in Pennsylvania, and critics say the decision was less about the law than about protecting federal funding. A UPMC spokesperson said while they “empathize deeply” with impacted patients, the Trump administration has made it “abundantly clear” they can “no longer provide certain types of gender-affirming care without risk of criminal prosecution.”

UPMC’s move mirrors a broader trend. Major health systems — from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to Penn State Health — have also ended gender-affirming care for minors. The policy has prompted a lawsuit from 17 Democratic officials, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who argue the Trump administration is pressuring providers to cut services even when they remain legal.

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08/19/2025

Due to a Trump executive order, 17-year-old Lee's gender-affirming care was cut off. Hot flashes and fear followed. "There’s a specific target on my head."

Lee, a 17-year-old from suburban Allegheny County, graduated high school early so he could undergo gender-affirming surgery before college. Months before his first class at Carlow University, he found himself without a provider.

08/18/2025

An explosion last week at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works that killed two people has revived debate about its future just as the iconic American company was emerging from a long period of uncertainty. (From partner The Associated Press)

The Clairton Coke Works has seen accidents and emission violations. Will new owner Nippon Steel invest in one of the few remaining U.S. coke plants?

08/18/2025

The number of youth in Allegheny County who experience homelessness grew 17% from the previous year. Winnie’s Wagon aims to support their learning needs by bringing the classroom to them. https://buff.ly/fr9mDho

This mobile classroom crosses Allegheny County to turn sidewalks into schools, helping a growing number of kids with unstable housing to learn and dream.

08/17/2025

Do you have a perspective to share with Pittsburgh? We want to hear about it. Pitch your story today.

This is for anyone in the Pittsburgh region (including all of Allegheny County and its bordering counties) or with information relevant to our area to share ideas, tips, stories that you think our newsroom may be interested in knowing. This would also be a great spot to tell us about your idea for a...

08/16/2025

A charticle — complex reporting made easy. Explore key differences between two involuntary mental health processes in Pennsylvania: AOT vs 302

Explore this chart of the key differences between involuntary hospitalization (302) and court-ordered outpatient treatment (AOT) in Pennsylvania.

08/16/2025

Pittsburgh Water raised prices in 2024. Now, they are seeking another increase — 33% over the next two years.

Pittsburgh Water proposes to increase rates by 33% over two years to fund the agency's efforts to update infrastructure for stormwater, drinking water and sewers.