Megan Trotter stories, Page 6
Teens drive conversation on bullying during anti-hate summit in Pittsburgh
Steve Silva told the story of a former classmate who regressed into anger and hate after bullying and exclusion centered on his hand-me-down clothes. “He looked at us and told us that he was going to bomb the school,” 16-year-old Silva said during the final day of the 2025 Eradicate...
2 dogs die in Tarentum house fire, residents displaced
No injuries were reported in a fire that tore through a Tarentum home on Tuesday, but two dogs died. Four dogs escaped, officials at the scene said. The blaze, in the 900 block of Porter Street, was reported shortly after 11:30 a.m. and quickly was upgraded to a second alarm....
New ‘Stand for All’ organization created in Pittsburgh to combat hate
Community members on Monday launched a grassroots push to bridge cultural and neighborhood divides and curb hate. The announcement of Stand For All Pittsburgh came during Pittsburgh’s fifth annual Eradicate Hate Global Summit, being held through Wednesday at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown. The introduction of the organization,...
Demolition underway at Squirrel Hill apartments after fire displaces residents
Overnight demolition of the Jefferson Apartments in Squirrel Hill officially began after a devastating fire displaced roughly 30 residents last week. Monday morning, the fenced-off area along the 5600 block of Forward Avenue had a large Schaaf Excavating Contractors crane and floodlights positioned toward what was left of the building....
Former Duquesne Light employee faces harassment charges over threatening emails
A Sharpsburg man has been charged with six counts of harassment in connection with threatening emails sent to Duquesne Light Company’s management team. Stephen Neal, 58, of Sharpsburg, was arrested on Tuesday following a series of over 200 threatening emails sent to Duquesne Light, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)...
‘The violence isn’t acceptable’: Pitt students hold vigil for Charlie Kirk
About a year ago, conservative students at the University of Pittsburgh packed into a courtyard to hear the words of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. On Friday, the atmosphere was quieter, more solemn. Instead of debating politics, they joined in prayer, shared memories and reflected on the mark of their slain...
Heat and dry conditions mean no sweater weather yet in Western Pa.
The month of September usually brings falling leaves, pumpkin flavors and cooler breezes — but the weather this weekend and into next week is out of the ordinary. Sweater weather will have to wait. The National Weather Service report on Friday revealed that Pittsburgh and surrounding county residents should expect...
AI Horizons Summit brings tech leaders, ‘legacy industrial titans’ together
For the second time in just three months the city of Pittsburgh is acting as a home base for the conversation on artificial intelligence. Back in July, U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick hosted the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit at Carnegie Mellon University. Now, the AI spotlight returns as Pittsburgh’s AI...
CMU Fence tribute to Charlie Kirk planned
The Carnegie Mellon University College Republicans plan to use The Fence as a way to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, following his slaying Wednesday. CMU College Republican President Anthony Cacciato said he was “shaken up by the...
Pa. politicians denounce political violence in wake of Charlie Kirk killing
Politicians throughout Pennsylvania reacted with shock and horror to the shooting death Wednesday of Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA. Kirk was killed while speaking at a college in Utah, almost a year after his visit to the University of Pittsburgh. After...
2nd public trial added for Pittsburgh airport’s new terminal
The Allegheny County Airport Authority said Wednesday it has added a second public trial of Pittsburgh International Airport’s new terminal to test systems and processes ahead of the official opening later this year. The airport’s first public trial is scheduled for Sept. 20. Over 2,000 members of the public are...
Poulet Bleu to reopen in Lawrenceville
The Lawrenceville neighborhood can enjoy Poulet Bleu’s best-selling souffle once again, as the French-inspired bistro is set to reopen its doors in mid October. The restaurant, located at 3517 Butler Street, will welcome guests for dinner service Tuesday through Saturday starting on Oct. 21. In the kitchen will be a...
No Kings movement announces new wave of protests in Pittsburgh
The No Kings movement, outraged by President Trump’s deployment of military guards in U.S. cities, is planning a second wave of national protests, including a major gathering next month in Downtown Pittsburgh. “In recent weeks, President Trump has escalated his authoritarian agenda, threatening to deploy additional militarized forces into U.S....
Health care professionals and activists protest UPMC’s restriction of gender-affirming care
The bodies of roughly 100 UPMC providers and local community activists laid sprawled outside UPMC’s Downtown headquarters Monday, as part of a nonviolent protest against the health-care network for restricting gender-affirming care. “It is about us being told that we cannot have the health care we need to survive, to...
UPMC workers to join community groups in march for transgender health care
In response to restrictions enacted under the Trump administration, some UPMC providers will be joining community groups in a show of support for restoring gender-affirming care to transgender youth next week. On Monday, a group of UPMC workers and members of Trans YOUniting and ACT UP plan to march across...
Another human West Nile virus case reported in Allegheny County
Allegheny County Health Department confirmed the second human West Nile case of this year. A person was hospitalized after developing symptoms in the beginning of August. Just a few weeks earlier, on Aug. 18, the county announced a Plum resident had been suffering from fever, malaise and digestive troubles which...
Carnegie Mellon creates committee to discuss role of The Fence tradition
Carnegie Mellon University President Farnam Jahanian on Thursday announced an official 17-member group tasked with making new recommendations for operation of The Fence, which has been a long-standing campus tradition. The announcement came in a letter two months after Jahanian temporarily shut down use of the Fence. The closure followed...
The gobblerito returns a little early at Mad Mex. Thank Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
Mad Mex’s fall favorite, the gobblerito — a tortilla stuffed with house-roasted turkey, black bean mashed potatoes, stuffing and corn, served with gravy and cranberry sauce — is returning for the season. The Big Burrito Restaurant Group announced its return with a social media meme featuring newly engaged pop star...
Tree Pittsburgh collects data to aid replanting after destructive spring storms in Western Pa.
Tree Pittsburgh is stepping up to lead a replanting effort after April’s fast-moving storms toppled trees and wires, and cut power to thousands of Southwestern Pennsylvania residents. In a effort to connect homeowners in Allegheny County with resources and support in response to the April 29th storms, Tree Pittsburgh is...
Innamorato signs executive order to protect Allegheny County union workers
Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato signed an order Thursday creating an “office of worker protections” to enforce labor and anti-discrimination laws, citing recent Trump administration moves to curb federal union bargaining. “This office will be a place where workers can turn to when their rights are threatened, and it’s a...
‘There was humanity’: Crash that killed 4 links Buffalo family with Western Pa. firefighters
It was after dark when off-duty Western Pennsylvania firefighters Kelly and Troy McClelland decided to slide their way down a 140-foot cliff without a rope or harness. On Aug. 2, off a sharp turn on Big Wheeling Creek Road in West Virginia, the father and son slowly scooted — clinging...
Allegheny County celebrates 300 lead-safe homes
Raychal Collins-Struck has lived in her Monroeville home since 2018, but now — six years later — it is a safe and lead-free environment for her son and daughter to play in. On Monday, county officials and community partners gathered at the residence to announce the completion of Allegheny County’s...
Carnegie Mellon study exposes gaps in AI’s self-awareness
For the average person, artificial intelligence chatbots are a quick and easy way to find a trivia fact, homemade cookie recipe or even sample emails to send to your boss. But as this technology becomes widespread — infiltrating jobs and government offices — people do not realize the faults in...
Green Party’s Gilliland exits Allegheny County Council race
The 2025 Allegheny County special election has one less candidate running for the County Council at-large seat, after Green Party member Theron Gilliland Jr. withdrew his candidacy following accusations of submitting papers with insufficient nomination signatures. Gilliland submitted 163 double-sided papers containing a total of 5,302 signatures supporting his running...
Carnegie Mellon president discusses finances ahead of town halls
Carnegie Mellon University President Farnam Jahanian announced Wednesday that he will hold two town halls next month as he detailed the university’s financial status in a letter to students and faculty. “These forums will allow me and our leadership team to share more about the university’s short-term plans and long-term...

