Pittsburgh's Public Source

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Mayor O'Connor's proposed budget amendments would add significant spending, mostly from the city's reserve fund. He maintains that changes represent spending that was already set to occur this year but weren't properly accounted for in Gainey's budget. buff.ly/vVDg4ct

Racist tirades in parks and on the internet; fear of attending religious gatherings or even leaving the house; psychological trauma for children. Refugees fled persecution and natural disasters but now face new challenges under the Trump administration. buff.ly/uL6NplJ

Mayor O'Connor sees the NFL Draft — potentially the largest event in city history — as an chance to market the city's universities, tech industry and arts scene. But some things aren’t in his administration’s control, notably overtime and tax revenue. buff.ly/EbfiAMI

Government transparency is essential. That's why Public Source went to court to challenge Allegheny County's redaction of public law enforcement officials' names. It's now easier to see how the county's $379 million payroll breaks down. buff.ly/CbHit7m

Pitt pledged a gift of $5 million over 5 years for public priorities, joining UPMC as a "big five" nonprofit who has made a gift to the city since Mayor O'Connor took office. The big five would owe $34 million in property taxes annually if not exempt. buff.ly/jhYKJH9

"People listen to the influence.” The Trump campaign and administration’s rhetoric and policies targeting specific Black and brown diasporic groups in the U.S. have made Pittsburgh a less welcoming place for refugees and immigrants. buff.ly/hlxkjZ7

Pittsburgh saw thousands of people take to the streets on Saturday as part of a No Kings day of action, the third such event in a nationwide resistance movement against what organizers and participants deem an increasingly authoritarian government. buff.ly/RgQsoTa

A Pittsburgh public works supervisor was accused of assault, using a slur last year. A city commission has ordered the city to pay $10k in damages, train staff on de-escalation and trauma-informed communications, and retrain public works supervisors. buff.ly/w1Tlwo0

The University of Pittsburgh will contribute $5 million to city over the next five years for parks, business corridor development and public safety. This represents about 10% of what the university would pay if its property holdings were taxable. buff.ly/jhYKJH9

Allegheny County employee salary breakdown: Allegheny County employees were paid $379 million in 2025, a 6% increase over 2024. $38 million in overtime, largely to jail employees. Gains in transparency after Public Source brought the county to court. buff.ly/CbHit7m

If you're reading this . . . we might have a job for you! Pittsburgh’s Public Source is looking for an audience producer to help more people find, engage with our local journalism and to grow our audiences across newsletters, social media and website. buff.ly/8sOwxGl

Settle into Sunday with a longer read. Pittsburgh's Public Source believes that journalism should represent you — which is why we publish first-person essays from community members. Postpartum experiences, parking tickets, queer parenting and more. buff.ly/zJc8p2R

FIRST PERSON: "I’m at the whim of the restaurant, sometimes working a double despite being burnt out or being told to go home when I desperately need to make some money." With an hourly wage of $2.83 and little schedule control, shift workers face burnout. buff.ly/CO7xBSl

Pittsburgh saw thousands of people take to the streets on Saturday as part of a No Kings day of action, the third such event in a nationwide resistance movement against what organizers and participants deem an increasingly authoritarian government. buff.ly/RgQsoTa

We’re delighted that so many readers have stepped up and showed us that this work matters to them. We’ve raised 95% of our goal, and only need to raise $700 more to get the rest of the way there. Can you make a gift now and help get us across the line? buff.ly/VkmJxhQ

ICE at the airport and in City Council bills, hundreds of thousands of people and tens of millions of dollars for the NFL draft, affordable housing, landlord accountability and more — fact-checked, independent and local. Sign up for our free newsletters. buff.ly/ZvTX0VP

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has struck down mandatory life sentences for people convicted of second-degree murder, ensuring that in future cases individual's responsibility in the course of the crime will be considered. (From partner @SpotlightPA) buff.ly/XRsuAct

Last year a dog walker alleged that a city employee used a homophobic slur. Pittsburgh's HR Commission announced Thursday that the city must pay $10k and improve public engagement training for public works staff and supervisors. buff.ly/w1Tlwo0

Public spending on the NFL draft in Pittsburgh is at $19 million, with a projected tenfold return. Some locals are more intent on a larger conversation: "How can we start developing a community economic plan for underserved neighborhoods and communities?” buff.ly/ICEM8jp

FIRST PERSON: "Fun evaporates when a long shift leaves you counting crumpled dollar bills." Tips and flexibility start to look like unstable income and volatility without agency to many restaurant workers. buff.ly/CO7xBSl