Julia Burdelski stories, Page 11
Feds remove online list accusing Pittsburgh, others of defying immigration law
A U.S. Department of Homeland Security list that classified Pittsburgh and Allegheny County as “sanctuary jurisdictions defying federal immigration law” has been removed from the department’s website. DHS last week said each jurisdiction would receive formal notification of “its non-compliance with federal statutes,” but city and county officials on Monday...
Pittsburgh Juneteenth event organizer takes city to court over permit delay
The organizer of a large annual Juneteenth celebration in Pittsburgh is taking the city to court over a delay in permits for the event, which is scheduled in less than three weeks. William “B” Marshall on Thursday filed paperwork in the Allegheny County Common Pleas Court to compel the city...
Visitors expected to fill hotels, rent private homes for U.S. Open in Oakmont
Mark Miller believes his Indiana Township home is a perfect accommodation for people coming to town for the U.S. Open golf tournament in Oakmont next week. Situated about 5 miles from the picturesque golf course, the property boasts an in-ground pool, hot tub, wet bar and gourmet kitchen. It sits...
DHS threatens federal funding for Pittsburgh, Allegheny County over immigrant stance
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has included Pittsburgh and Allegheny County on a lengthy list of “sanctuary jurisdictions defying federal immigration law.” The creation of the list was mandated by an April executive order in which President Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from jurisdictions federal officials believe...
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital nurses call for union election
Lucy Ruccio has worked as a nurse practitioner at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital for the last 3½ years. Ruccio, 35, of Squirrel Hill, said she finds meaning in her work and loves the hospital, where she gave birth to her own children. But she’s frustrated that she and other nurses feel...
Pittsburgh council OKs Devine as acting police chief through rest of Gainey’s term
Martin Devine can stay Pittsburgh’s acting police chief through the rest of Mayor Ed Gainey’s tenure. City Council on Thursday unanimously approved a measure to allow Devine to lead the police bureau until Feb. 1, 2026. Gainey, who lost in last week’s Democratic primary, will end his term a month...
Concerns over Herron Avenue Bridge support columns prompt emergency closure
Pittsburgh officials Wednesday announced an emergency closure of the Herron Avenue Bridge over safety concerns. An independent consultant and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials Tuesday found issues with the columns that support the bridge, which connects the city’s Polish Hill and Lawrenceville neighborhoods and spans the Martin Luther King Jr....
As Trump cuts research money, Shapiro pitches $50M for science, innovation
While President Donald Trump yanks critical federal funding from universities and research institutions across the country, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to invest tens of millions of dollars each year in life sciences and innovation. During a visit Tuesday to a University of Pittsburgh research facility in Bloomfield, Shapiro spoke...
What’s a lame-duck mayor to do? Gainey has 7 months to cement his legacy
Lame-duck Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey faces a stark choice in his remaining seven months in office: Ramp up efforts to push his passion projects across the finish line — or while away the final days of his single term. On Tuesday, Gainey lost the Democratic primary to Corey O’Connor, virtually...
Experts deem voter displeasure with Gainey as key to O’Connor’s win
Corey O’Connor first toyed with the idea of trying to unseat Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey about a year ago. In his role as Allegheny County controller, he often talked to residents throughout the city — and what he heard was frustration. People complained about safety, development and basic services, O’Connor...
‘Thank You, Pittsburgh’: O’Connor hits the streets in appreciation of voters
Standing in a light rain in Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood Wednesday morning, Corey O’Connor recalled how his father had shown gratitude to the voters who elected him to City Council and then mayor’s office. His father, the late Bob O’Connor, had gone into the basement the morning after he was first...
Pittsburgh voters approve series of ballot referendums
Pittsburgh voters on Tuesday supported a series of ballot referendums that will determine whether the city can discriminate in its business dealings, prohibit the use of the Home Rule Charter amendment process to add rules that conflict with federal or state laws, and bar the city from selling or leasing...
O’Connor knocks off incumbent Gainey in Pittsburgh’s Democratic mayoral primary; Moreno gets GOP nod
Corey O’Connor knocked off incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey in Pittsburgh’s Democratic mayoral primary Tuesday night, while former police officer Tony Moreno secured the GOP nomination. O’Connor, 40, emerged to deliver his victory speech at Nova Place on the city’s North Side around 10:30 p.m., with he and his wife triumphantly...
What to expect on Pittsburgh’s primary ballots
Pittsburghers voting in Tuesday’s primary will select the candidate to represent their party in November’s general election for mayor and, in some wards, for City Council. They will weigh in on a series of ballot referendums and openings for judges on Allegheny County Common Pleas and appellate courts. They’ll also...
Report squarely blames Bucco Brick fiasco on Pittsburgh Pirates
A report commissioned by Pittsburgh’s Sports and Exhibition Authority places blame solely on the Pittsburgh Pirates for a controversial decision to scrap personalized, fan-purchased bricks at PNC Park without telling anyone. “It was the Pirates, not the SEA or any of its contractors, that made the decision to dispose of...
Union heads, elected officials demand $15-an-hour minimum wage in Pa.
When Aaron Allen took a minimum wage job in 2009, he found the $7.25-an-hour rate was barely enough to pay his rent. Allen worked more than 40 hours a week at a restaurant but put off medical treatments because he couldn’t afford to see a doctor. He recalled how he...
Separating fact from fiction in Pittsburgh mayor’s race
As Pittsburgh’s Democratic rivals for mayor spew facts and figures on the campaign trail, they’re also sprinkling in misinformation. Whether by accident or design, Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor have at times distorted, exaggerated or misrepresented issues during debates, news conferences and other public appearances. “Misinformation...
Ticktock: Officials unveil 2026 NFL Draft countdown clock
Football fans wondering how long they have to wait until Pittsburgh hosts the 2026 NFL Draft can now stop by the North Shore for a to-the-second countdown. The 18-foot-tall clock — showing just over 346 days at its debut Monday — sits in the sprawling lawn across from Stage AE....
Inaugural Jim Roddey Leadership Awards to honor legacy of 1st Allegheny County executive
The inaugural Jim Roddey Leadership Awards will recognize two local leaders and honor the legacy of the first Allegheny County executive. The first recipients are Laura Ellsworth, partner-in-charge of global community service initiatives at law firm Jones Day, and Mark Nordenberg, former chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh. Roddey died...
Split decision: As Gainey claims unity in mayoral race, cracks appear among Democrats
Speaking late last month at a Hill District rally, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey claimed to be building “unprecedented unity” in his bid for a second term. That may be more wishful thinking than reality. Neither Gainey nor his primary election rival, Corey O’Connor, appears to be a surefire winner with...
Team Rubicon volunteers lend helping hand in Allegheny County after storm damage
When severe storms rolled through the region last week, Bill Robinson watched the downpours and battering winds wreak havoc on his yard in Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood The winds were so strong that he struggled to open his door to let his dog, Lola, in the house. By the time the...
Morning Roundup: Police investigate after woman shows up to hospital with gunshot wound
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, May 9: Police investigate after woman shows up to hospital with gunshot wound Pittsburgh police are investigating a shooting after a woman showed up at a local hospital with a gunshot wound. Police said a 34-year-old woman was...
Gainey orders hazard mitigation plan in response to damaging storms
Last week’s damaging storm has prompted Pittsburgh’s mayor to order officials to draft a plan so the city can better prepare for natural disasters. In ordering the creation of a hazard mitigation plan, Mayor Ed Gainey on Thursday noted that climate change brings additional risks of increasingly severe storms and...
‘My bad’: Pittsburgh top emergency official did not alert city leaders to absence during storms
Pittsburgh’s top emergency management official, who was away during last week’s severe storms, violated protocol by failing to notify city leaders of his absence and who would take over for him. Darryl Jones, the city’s emergency management coordinator and fire chief, acknowledged Thursday he did not alert Controller Rachael Heisler...
Morning Roundup: 2 injured in Apollo fire; Pennsylvania Attorney General warns of scams after storms
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, May 8: 2 injured in Apollo fire Two people were taken to the hospital after a fire in Apollo early Thursday morning. The blaze started around 1:10 a.m. Thursday in the 400 block of Kiski Avenue, according to...
