The letter criticizes Costello’s appearances on a podcast hosted by MAGA influencer Steve Bannon on July 21 and 22, during which Costello criticized Jason Richey — the party’s former chair and now the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor.

New Allegheny County Republican chair Weismantle faces party squabble

Brian Weismantle, who was elected chair of the Republican Committee of Allegheny County less than a month ago, is already facing his first intraparty fight: A group of committee members wants an inves...

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Construction is now moving into areas of Highland Park, Shadyside, Bloomfield, and Lawrenceville. People whose lines are affected should have gotten information in the mail.

Pittsburgh Water lead pipe replacement expands to 4 more neighborhoods as project nears end

The water authority started replacing lead pipes a decade ago and said it's on track to finish the project by the end of 2027.

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The health department previously provided data at the state and county-level about childhood vaccinations. The new initiative follows a wave of reporting that found vaccination rates have been declining in schools across Pennsylvania for years, especially among kindergarteners.

Amid soaring measles cases, Pa. parents can now track vaccine rates at their child’s school

Pennsylvania parents can now easily track vaccination rates at their kids’ schools thanks to a new resource from the state health department. A new online tool provides annual vaccination rate data fo...

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Right now, the company makes steel slabs at the Edgar Thomson plant, and ships them by rail about seven miles to its current hot strip mill at the Irvin Works. Then it has to re-heat the slabs to press them into coils. This upgrade will cut out lots of unnecessary steps and energy use.

U.S. Steel shows off its newest investment, to a divided Braddock community

The project is part of a makeover the company is getting from its new owners, Nippon Steel of Japan, which bought U.S. Steel last year. Nippon pledged $2.5 billion in investments in U.S. Steel’s Pitts...

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The planned L-shaped building would wrap around the 19th-century Music Building on Fifth Ave. Pitt plans to erect the 105-foot building on a current parking lot. The dorm would include six residential floors and ground-floor retail dining that would be open to the public.

Planning Commission approves new Pitt dorm, begins zoning overhaul

The planned L-shaped building would wrap around the 19th-century Music Building on Fifth Ave.

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The Transit Revitalization Investment District would issue bonds to fund redevelopment, then pay off that debt by using much of the additional property tax revenue created by the development. For the incentive to have its full effect, Allegheny County & PPS would also have to sign off on the plan.

Pittsburgh City Council approves controversial plan to fund Downtown redevelopment

After more tense debate, Pittsburgh City Council gave final approval to a controversial package of tax incentives intended to encourage development Downtown and in adjoining areas of the North Side an...

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Officials with Pittsburgh Public Schools say doing so would allow these programs to be more inclusive of students of color, who have long gone underrepresented in gifted courses and other advanced opportunities.

As PPS works to expand its gifted programs, students say encouragement and preparation are key

Between 2021 and 2024, only about 12% of Black high schoolers at PPS completed at least one AP course. That’s compared to more than 40% of white students in the district.

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Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection found no significant risk to human health from the radioactive leachate from landfills. But a group of environmental nonprofits are asking the agency to reconsider.

Pa. DEP says landfill leachate poses no health risk. Environmentalists aren't so sure.

Protect PT and groups like Sierra Club Pennsylvania, Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania and Halt the Harm Network, are casting doubt over the state DEP's investigation of potential harm...

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A closed section of Interstate 376/Parkway East in Pittsburgh, Edgewood and Swissvale is expected to reopen Monday evening — a week earlier than scheduled, and a development that likely will relieve thousands of daily commuters.

PennDOT to reopen I-376/Parkway East in Pittsburgh Monday, ahead of schedule

A closed section of Interstate 376/Parkway East is expected to reopen Monday evening — a week earlier than scheduled when work began July 10 to replace the Commercial Street Bridge.

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Individuals can pedal, roll or stroll down a three-mile stretch between Lawrenceville and the Strip District, taking in car-free views of the city along the way. Organized by non-profit BikePGH, OpenStreetsPGH is part of a broader, global movement to see the world as designed for humans, not cars.

What to expect from Sunday's OpenStreetsPGH in Lawrenceville and the Strip District

Bike riders, ready your helmets; OpenStreetsPGH’s last event of the year is this Sunday, July 26.

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The budget contains $7 million to transition the electronic debit cards used by people in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — often called SNAP, or food stamps — into cards with more secure chip technology.

Pa.'s new budget includes funds for secure chipped SNAP benefit cards

With funding included in the new Pa. budget, SNAP benefit cards will get security updates aimed at helping vulnerable households avoid the theft of their food benefits.

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“The best I can tell you right now,” said Jason Zang, PennDOT District Executive of District 11, “maybe the middle of next week — plus or minus.” The state road plan anticipated the highway to be reopened by Aug. 3.

PennDOT officials hopeful that I-376 Parkway in Pittsburgh could reopen early

Pennsylvania Department of Highways officials were in good spirits during a press conference Monday morning, saying they are cautiously optimistic that the parkway could open slightly ahead of schedul...

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A temperature inversion this morning will hold residual wildfire smoke close to the ground, pushing particulate matter air pollution levels into a range considered unhealthy for sensitive groups under the U.S. Air Quality Index system.

Wildfire smoke returns to Pittsburgh today, Code Orange air quality alert in effect through midnight

A temperature inversion this morning will hold residual wildfire smoke close to the ground.

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“Hopefully this heavy smoke will clear the area tomorrow. But today we want to encourage everyone to stay safe,” Innamorato said. “That means if you can comfortably stay indoors, please prioritize doing so,” and keep activity levels low.

Allegheny County officials urge residents to stay inside amid heavy smoke from wildfires

Allegheny County officials are urging all residents to avoid outdoor activities as heavy smoke from wildfires burning in Canada and Minnesota rolls through the region.

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As previously reported by WESA, the nine-member board has largely moved substantive discussions about healthcare, staffing, uses of force and the welfare of incarcerated people from monthly public meetings to subcommittee meetings not open to the public.

Advocates warn Allegheny County Jail Oversight Board may run afoul of state public meeting laws

The board has used closed-door committee meetings to discuss uses of force, healthcare, and other issues.

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Thursday afternoon, Allegheny County Health Department upgraded its air quality warning to Code Maroon, the most severe status in the U.S. Air Quality Index system. In response to dangerous conditions, the city of Pittsburgh has announced all outdoor city programs are closed today.

Stagnant air traps wildfire smoke in Pittsburgh through Saturday; outdoor programs closed

In addition to carrying health risks, the smoke may cause a thick fog to develop in Pittsburgh’s river valleys, known as a super fog.

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For a decade, science has proven that brain-computer interface technology can restore a sense of touch for people with spinal cord injuries. But new research from the University of Pittsburgh suggests those gains can last.

Pitt researchers demonstrate safety, effectiveness of brain implants designed to restore touch

Research published this week in Science Translational Medicine showed that participants with spinal cord injuries were able to maintain an artificial sense of touch, with one participant largely maint...

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Emma Riva brought hers along when she moved to Pittsburgh from her hometown of New York City in 2021. Now Petrichor, the online art magazine she founded soon after, is ready to bid for new audiences with its debut print issue.

Pittsburgh art magazine 'Petrichor' ready to build new audience with print issue

The glossy, 50-page full-color Petrichor is focused on but not limited to the local visual-arts scene.

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Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota has driven high levels of particulate matter pollution in eastern Pennsylvania already this morning, and the smoke is expected to grow thicker in the Pittsburgh region as the day goes on.

Wildfire smoke pushes into Pittsburgh region, triggers Code Red air quality alert

High levels of particulate matter expected in the Pittsburgh region as the day goes on.

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The “explosive demolition” of the bridge was scheduled to take place Wednesday between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., but PennDOT sent out an announcement around 8:30 p.m. stating the explosion would be postponed until today.

Commercial Street Bridge ‘explosive demolition’ rescheduled for today, according to PennDOT

The bridge demolition was scheduled to take place Wednesday. It was postponed so contractors could continue safety preparations.

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Jones was placed on paid leave last month while the city conducted its review. According to an announcement from Mayor Corey O’Connor’s office Wednesday afternoon, the mayor felt after the review was complete that it was “in the best interest of the city to move forward under new leadership.”

Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire chief Darryl Jones to retire following internal review

Darryl Jones has been on leave since early June during an internal review of his management of the city’s Bureau of Fire.

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A fire apparatus, or truck, is a specialized vehicle used by fire departments to fight flames and ensure public safety. The city alleges that mergers between manufacturers are stifling competition — increasing prices, decreasing output and hurting taxpayers.

City of Pittsburgh files antitrust lawsuit against fire truck manufacturers

In an attempt to fight fire with fire, the city of Pittsburgh has filed an antitrust lawsuit against several fire apparatus manufacturers.

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The families bringing the complaint are enrolled at Manchester PreK-8, Miller African-Centered Academy in the Hill District and Woolslair PreK-5 in Bloomfield. All three schools are slated to close in June 2027 under the sweeping facilities plan city school board members approved this spring.

Pittsburgh moms file discrimination complaint in hopes of stopping PPS closures

The parents of five Pittsburgh Public Schools students filed a complaint with Pennsylvania’s top civil rights agency alleging that the district's school closures discriminate against Black students.

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PennDOT District 11 Executive Jason Zang said Monday morning that work is so far on schedule for this "extreme highway makeover." Crews spent the weekend removing 60% of the bridge deck, to prepare for the full structure demolition.

'Extreme highway makeover': PennDOT says I-376 bridge demo is on schedule

The bridge just east of the Squirrel Hill Tunnel closed Friday night so crews can replace the Commercial Street Bridge on Interstate 376.

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A member of the city’s Housing Opportunity Fund advisory board has sued Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority. At issue is the role of the 17-member HOF advisory board in overseeing Pittsburgh’s Housing Opportunity Fund, a $10 million annual fund controlled by the URA.

Housing Opportunity Fund board member sues Pittsburgh’s URA

At issue is the role of the 17-member HOF advisory board in overseeing Pittsburgh’s Housing Opportunity Fund, a $10 million annual fund controlled by the URA.

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Some Democrats promoted a bill sponsored by Rep. Chris DeLuzio, a Pennsylvania Democrat, and Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, that would ban private equity from youth sports and pay families who have invested heavily in privately funded programs back.

Bipartisan support on US House panel for examining private equity in youth sports

Some Democrats promoted a bill sponsored by Pennsylvania Rep. Chris DeLuzio that would ban private equity from youth sports.

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Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity made one thing abundantly certain about her position on regulating data center construction in Pennsylvania: Gov. Josh Shapiro is doing it wrong.

GOP's Garrity faults Shapiro's stance on data centers, stresses local control

Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity made one thing abundantly certain about her position on data center construction: Gov. Josh Shapiro is doing it wrong.

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Anthrocon Director of Safety Nick Terwilliger, whose fursona is named Aisu the Ice Cream Fox, said organizers and attendees came prepared. Water stations were plentiful, stocked with extra-long straws to reach through the fursuit masks. “These suits get very, very spicy."

With water and fans, 2026 Anthrocon prepared for Pittsburgh's extreme heat

The 2026 Anthrocon sold out of weekend passes by Friday morning — a first for the convention of human-like animal characters as it celebrated its 20th anniversary in Pittsburgh.

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What does Kroger plan to change about Giant Eagle’s pharmacy business? Not much, according to Giant Eagle CEO Bill Artman. “Giant Eagle Pharmacy customers can expect no change or interruption in Giant Eagle Pharmacy services,” Artman said in a statement.

Giant Eagle pharmacies expected to continue as usual under Kroger deal

Cincinnati-based Kroger announced Wednesday that it will acquire Giant Eagle supermarkets and pharmacies for $1.65 billion. The deal was announced less than a year after Giant Eagle embarked on a mass...

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The Pittsburgh Planning Commission on Tuesday voted to approve plans for a six-story apartment and office building at Penn and Shady avenues. The project is part of an effort from developer Walnut Capital to expand Bakery Square in the East Liberty and Larimer neighborhoods.

Pittsburgh planners approve new East Liberty apartments, hear plans for South Side units

The Pittsburgh Planning Commission on Tuesday voted to approve plans for a six-story apartment and office building at Penn and Shady avenues.

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