Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage celebrated at The Westmoreland
The creativity and colors of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage were celebrated Sunday at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art. The Greensburg museum’s event, part of its ongoing Sunday Fun Day series, showcased Asian American and Pacific Islander culture through live performances and hands-on activities for all ages. [gps-image...
Hempfield Founders Festival shows off new park’s amenities
Four-year-old Ellie Moltz excitedly answered when asked her favorite part of Hempfield’s new Founders Park: “Everything.” To be fair, though, there’s quite a few options to pick from. Founders Park — Hempfield’s newest park — boasts a children’s playground area, splash pad, workout equipment, a multipurpose building, obstacle course and...
Butler Memorial Hospital, union techs reach contract 3 days before planned strike
Butler Memorial Hospital and its technical professionals union have reached a contract that calls for a minimum 3% wage increase over the next three years. The three-year contract was announced Friday night by both Independence Health and the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals. The union represents 235...
Greensburg Diocese says retired priest charged in sex crimes case has been inactive since 2018
Robert Byrnes, a retired Catholic priest and former state police chaplain charged with sexual assault, has not been in active ministry in any parish or entity of the Diocese of Greensburg for the past eight years, the Diocese announced Saturday. Pennsylvania State Police on Friday charged Byrnes, 84, with aggravated...
Pittsburgh-area school districts say there’s more to education than National Scorecard results
Not all Allegheny County school districts are experiencing the decrease in test scores seen nationwide. Data from the National Education Scorecard — a collaboration between education researchers at Harvard and Stanford universities and faculty at Dartmouth College — shows that nationally, students remain nearly half a grade level behind pre-pandemic...
IUP to offer classes for Indiana County high schoolers interested in future education careers
High school students pursuing a career in education at the Indiana County Technology Center can earn up to 12 college credits through a new partnership with the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. IUP officials announced Friday the launch of the “IUP Rising Educators Advancing through Dual Enrollment and Yearly College Credits”...
Shaler Area Middle School named 1 of state’s Schools to Watch
It only took a few seconds for Shaler Area Middle School principals and students to accept a banner Friday from Bruce Vosburgh, director of Pennsylvania Schools to Watch, recognizing the school’s accomplishments. But Principal Shannon Howard noted that the time, effort and energy to make the school a positive, academically...
Pitt Law alum makes $1 million gift to school
A $1 million donation from a University of Pittsburgh School of Law alumnus and his wife will support initiatives, programming and staff at the school. Greg and Ellen Jordan donated the $1 million to establish the Greg and Ellen Jordan Fund for Business, Banking and Financial Regulation, Pitt announced Thursday....
Cheerios box campaign shines light on South Fayette boy’s fight with rare disease
Jordy Greene always assumed the photo on Cheerios cereal boxes was reserved for pro athletes or celebrities. Until now. Jordy, 10, got his picture on Cheerios boxes for his work with the Pittsburgh Children’s Miracle Network Champion, a major fundraising campaign to support children’s healthcare. “I was in shock,” he...
Penn State faculty vote to form union
A majority of participating Penn State faculty members voted in favor of union representation, according to the Service Employees International Union. The SEIU Local 668 announced Thursday that 2,510 faculty members voted in favor of a union. More than 5,000 faculty were able to vote in the election. “The road...
Dr. Jonas Salk-inspired poetry lessons empower Quaker Valley, Watson Institute students
A poetry activity May 6 in Sewickley not only paid homage to borough history, it also inspired youth to channel poetry and art as a form of expression and healing. The Sewickley Public Library and Ivy Smith, the Youth Poet Laureate of Allegheny County, led two haiku workshops for students...
PennWest develops pathway for graduate health degrees
A new partnership will assist Pennsylvania Western University students with earning graduate health degrees. PennWest — which has campuses in California, Clarion, Edinboro and online — has partnered with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine for doctoral programs in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, dental medicine and podiatric medicine. Qualified PennWest undergraduates...
Up close and personal with LiveSplats, a new 3D virtual tech tool developed by CMU teamVideo
Fernando De la Torre’s 10-year-old son, Nico, wants to attend a FIFA World Cup match this summer in Atlanta, to cheer on Spain. The problem: not only are the tickets themselves costly, they’re difficult to obtain through a high-demand lottery process. “The question is, how can we offer a similar,...
IUP can begin admitting students into new medical school
Indiana University of Pennsylvania can officially begin recruiting students into its College of Osteopathic Medicine. IUP received “pre-accreditation status” this week from the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation. That means IUP can begin recruiting and admitting students to its College of Osteopathic Medicine and begin medical instruction...
Pittsburgh-area high schools to test new course on human flourishing, well-being
Self-awareness, empathy and conflict management could soon become part of the curriculum for some Pittsburgh-area high school students. In an effort to support student well-being, educators in the region are considering teaching the science of human flourishing in high schools, based on a course developed at Penn State. Blake Colaianne,...
Tuition, fees set for IUP’s proposed medical school
Annual tuition for Pennsylvania students attending IUP’s proposed doctor of osteopathic medicine degree program will be $43,200, and out-of-state students would pay $65,000, the university’s board of trustees approved this week. IUP remains on track to open its college of osteopathic medicine, and admit its first class of students in...
Duquesne graduate bridges physics and music in dual-degree journey
Gabriel Pecar’s undergraduate college experience brought together dual — and often unaligned — passions. Pecar, 23, of Cadiz, Ohio, will graduate Saturday from Duquesne University with two bachelor’s degrees — one in physics and another in music. “I feel like I wouldn’t be happy if I walked away from one...
Botanists, ecologists call on Penn State to preserve New Kensington nature trail
Area botanists and researchers hope a nature trail and forest at the Penn State New Kensington campus in Upper Burrell can be preserved as the property’s future is yet to be determined. “It’s (full of) highly diverse plant species, biologically speaking,” said Mason Heberling, an associate curator of botany at...
Pine-Richland proposed budget plan hikes taxes 5.29%, includes cuts to programs
Pine-Richland School District’s proposed budget for next year includes a 5.29% property tax increase and cuts to some programs. The $115.55 million proposal calls for a millage rate increase from 19.5867 mills to 20.6228 mills. For a home at Pine’s $332,200 median assessed value, the annual school tax bill would...
In era where colleges are shrinking, Carlow University celebrates largest-ever graduating class
Over the past couple of years, Carlow University added new health sciences programs — notably surgical technology, occupational and physical therapy, physician assistant and speech-language — in an effort to meet demand. Now, they’re seeing the results of their labor. Carlow’s Class of 2026, at 792 students, is the university’s...
Pitt approves plans for new residence hall in Oakland for 1st-year students
University of Pittsburgh trustees have approved construction of a 420-bed residence hall for freshmen as the Oakland campus continues to see growth in enrollment. The new residence hall will be built at Fifth and Ruskin avenues, on Pitt-owned space surrounding the Music Building. Construction is expected to begin this summer....
Pittsburgh Sunnyside school receives new soccer mini-pitch in advance of FIFA World CupVideo
Having a space at school where students can do what they love can help them feel connected, motivated and excited to come to school each day, said Ashanti Jones, principal at Pittsburgh Sunnyside PreK-8. A new soccer “mini-pitch,” donated by the U.S. Soccer Foundation and installed in front of the...
Upper St. Clair schools budget calls for 3% property tax increase
Property owners in Upper St. Clair could see a 3% increase in school taxes. The school district’s $111.57 million proposed budget raises the millage rate from 31.51 to 32.46. A property owner with a home assessed at $237,300 would pay $7,703 annually in school taxes, a $224 increase from this...
Pine-Richland School Board reverses policy on challenging books in school libraryVideo
Pine-Richland School Board members on Monday voted 5-4 to reverse a policy on challenging library books that thrust the district into the national spotlight in recent years. In the revision, only parents and guardians can raise concerns about library books. Further, the revision makes clear that diversity of literature —...
Duquesne University names Sarah Ewing as new provostVideo
Duquesne University on Tuesday named Sarah J. Ewing as its provost and vice president for academic affairs, rounding out an administrative team at a pivotal time in higher education. Ewing, who was provost and vice president for student experience at Gannon University, succeeds David Dausey, who will become university president...
