With fall enrollment numbers official, Pittsburgh-area colleges show growth

WESA 10/12 11:30P Rachel McDevitt

College enrollment numbers this fall are now official and Pittsburgh-area universities are reporting growing student populations.

University of Pittsburgh USEFULL take-out containers replacing single-use options to cut waste

WESA 10/12 11:01P Kalliyan Winder

USEFULL provides plastic-free reusable containers to college campuses around the country. The company posits “no single-use takeout container options offer truly planet-positive solutions — not even biodegradable and compostable materials.”...

Thousands of Pa. college students wait for key financial aid due to state budget impasse

WESA 10/12 1:01A Charlotte Keith | Spotlight PA

Last year’s aid was also delayed, due to federal data glitches and a botched software rollout.

Pittsburgh Public Schools implements hiring, contract freezes as state budget impasse drags on

WESA 10/10 7:07A Jillian Forstadt

The state’s largest teachers union estimates that Pittsburgh Public Schools has missed out on more than $61 million in expected payments since July.

Pittsburgh Public Schools recommends 2026 tax hike

WESA 10/6 11:34P Jillian Forstadt

The mounting appeals were a focus of the initial 2026 budget forecast Joseph shared with board members Monday night. The district is weighing a $743.8 million budget — $8.5 million less than the budget adopted for 2025.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh to host early childhood literacy summit this weekend

WESA 9/25 11:33P Jillian Forstadt

Attendees will hear from the region’s literacy experts and connect with resources and services supporting families with young children.

Pa. treasurer announces loan programs for counties, pre-K impacted by late budget

WESA 9/24 11:30P Jaxon White | WITF

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced Wednesday her office would launch a $500 million plan to provide loans to county governments and pre-K programs facing financial problems caused by the months-late state budget.

How proposed public school closures could affect Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District

WESA 9/21 11:34P Jillian Forstadt

Miller African Centered Academy Prep and Milliones 6-12 are among the 12 schools Pittsburgh Public plans to close next year.

Stop the Violence funds allocated amid downward trend in Pittsburgh violent crime

WESA 9/15 11:31P Kyle Ferreira

Mayor Ed Gainey and Pittsburgh city council members celebrated a decrease in Steel City violence at a press conference on Sept. 15. They’re trying to encourage the trend by investing just under $1.75 million into local organizations working to...

Amid AI summaries and misinformation, Pittsburgh-area schools teach students to check their facts

WESA 9/14 11:34P Jillian Forstadt

Butler Area School District, an hour north of Pittsburgh, and Avonworth School District in Allegheny County were named two of the News Literacy Project’s national fellows last week.

Pennsylvania schools still pursuing solar projects despite federal tax credit rollbacks

WESA 9/10 11:32P Sophia Schmidt | WHYY

None of the schools that received Solar for Schools grants have told the state they’re pulling out due to federal tax credit rollbacks.

Pa. universities partner with Google to offer AI training

WESA 9/8 11:31P Rachel McDevitt

Pennsylvania’s state university system is expanding a partnership with Google by offering a course in artificial intelligence essentials.

Pittsburgh Public Schools could drain its reserves by mid-October if state budget impasse persists

WESA 9/8 11:30P Jillian Forstadt

The district applied for and received a $28.7 million advance from the state in order to pay debts on time, leaders warn relying on cash in-hand will only sustain PPS for so long.

Juvenile court referrals for Black girls at Pittsburgh Public Schools down 93% since 2019

WESA 9/7 11:34P Jillian Forstadt

While Black girls in Allegheny County are still 6.5 times more likely than white girls to be referred to juvenile court, that gap is significantly smaller than previously reported.

Allegheny County schools lead the state in potential for solar energy generation, advocates report

WESA 9/3 11:32P Jillian Forstadt

Advocates, politicians and school districts alike say boosting the county’s solar infrastructure could reduce air pollution from local power plants and alleviate district budget pressure.