Julia Burdelski stories, Page 14
‘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...
Little turbulence at Pittsburgh International as Real ID rules take effect
Tracy Moffat experienced only a minor hiccup with her Real ID as she used it for the first time Wednesday to fly from Boston to Pittsburgh. The identification requirement, which went into effect Wednesday, mandates anyone 18 or older present a Real ID or other acceptable identification — like a...
Allegheny County Council approves tax diversion for proposed Esplanade development
The developer looking to build a Ferris wheel, housing, entertainment space and other amenities to a sprawling riverside property in Pittsburgh’s Chateau neighborhood cleared a major hurdle Tuesday as Allegheny County Council provided the last needed approval for a critical tax diversion. Cecil-based Piatt Companies has now earned approval from...
Morning Roundup: Pittsburgh man turns himself in after firing gun near recreation center
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, May 7: Pittsburgh man turns himself in after firing gun near recreation center A man who fired a gun Monday near Pittsburgh’s Brookline Recreation Center turned himself in to police, officials said. Joseph Drewery, 35, of Pittsburgh faces...
Pittsburgh council, despite reservations, will let developers build on smaller lots
Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday approved letting developers build housing on smaller lots than they now can. It may seem like an esoteric issue, but the move to shrink minimum lot size requirements is seen as an important step to unlock more land for residential development in the city and...
PNC Park employee suspended after fight with fan
A PNC Park employee was suspended after fighting with a fan after Sunday’s Pirates game. As fans were leaving the North Shore ballpark, an argument broke out between two male fans and a female food and beverage employee, said Brian Warecki, senior vice president of communications for the Pittsburgh Pirates....
Morning Roundup: Woman shot in Rankin; gunshot fired at Brookline Recreation Center
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, May 6: Woman shot in Rankin A woman was shot multiple times in Rankin early Tuesday morning, according to Allegheny County Police. County 911 was notified at 12:39 a.m. of a shooting in the 200 block of 4th...
Lawsuit claims West Mifflin cops left hurt New Kensington man in holding cell without medical care, leading to death
West Mifflin police officers left a visibly injured assault victim untreated in a holding cell for more than nine hours after arresting him last summer, leading to his death three days later, according to a federal civil rights lawsuit filed Monday. The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh,...
Wrong-way detection project starting on Route 28
PennDOT is set to begin installing wrong-way detection technology along Route 28 on Monday. The technology will be added to off-ramps in Pittsburgh, Millvale, Sharpsburg, Etna, Aspinwall, Shaler, O’Hara and Harmar. Shoulder restrictions will occur weekdays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Millvale exit through Friday. Officials will...
Morning Roundup: Pittsburgh police take man into custody after standoff
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, May 5: Pittsburgh police take man in custody after standoff On Sunday morning, Pittsburgh police took a man into custody following a SWAT situation in the city’s Lincoln Place neighborhood. Police reported SWAT activity in the 5700 block...
Community group sets public meeting on Pittsburgh Zoo’s proposed giraffe barn
The Highland Park Community Council will hold a public meeting Thursday on the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium’s proposal to build a new giraffe barn, part of a 20-year makeover unveiled in the fall. The zoo will seek approval from Pittsburgh’s Public Art and Civic Design Commission for the structure, which...

