Tax rates increased and a ban on phones, taking photos & videos.

County Council & School Board.

In the coming weeks, we plan to expand our coverage to the Pittsburgh Public School Board and the Allegheny County Council. These meetings will be in their own newsletters to help keep things…

Cell phones, taking photos banned during school day at all Pittsburgh Public Schools starting this fall.

There will be no selfies in science class, no Instagram in algebra, and no SnapChat in social studies in the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) in the next school year.

Pittsburgh Public Schools approves 2% property tax hike, adding ~$13/ year for the average homeowner.

The Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) board approved its 2026 budget, including a 2% property tax increase, with a 6 to 3 vote during a legislative meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

County Council weighs whether to jump into jail fight.

Allegheny County Council is weighing whether to step into a fight over whether disciplinary actions at the Allegheny County Jail can be determined by a referendum.

Jail lawsuit heads to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Pittsburgh inks $100,000 contract to teach residents to recycle.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) wants residents to stop trashing recyclable packaging.

The city looks at taking over a blighted apartment building.

The city may condemn a 100-unit apartment building in Homewood in order to save the homes of the people who live there.

Land bank looks to spend millions to return properties to the tax rolls.

The Pittsburgh Land Bank (PLB) has estimated it could cost $168.5 million to put 11,311 abandoned parcels back on the city’s tax rolls.

Protecting low-income residents’ homes, targeted recycling outreach and the cost of eradicating blight–Tell Council what you think.

City property taxes slated to go up 20%.

Pittsburgh homeowners may soon see a 20% increase on their property tax bill.

Property taxes increase by 20%, budget reaches $693 million and naming new violence prevention anchor organizations.

City council passes a budget that is $15 million more than the mayor’s.

After over 40 hours of public meetings, hearings, discussions, and seemingly endless votes, council passed the 2026 budget.

Anchor organizations named to “Stop the Violence.”

Council approved the first five anchor organizations for the Stop the Violence Fund.

Stop the Violence money may be used for city trucks.

A proposed reduction in this year's Stop the Violence funding had community members speaking out for the program.

Council, mayor dispute ability to terminate the comprehensive plan contracts.

Now that the city has already spent $4 million of a $6 million contract to create a comprehensive plan, city council has given preliminary approval to terminate “ineffective and ineffectual”…

City property sales to out-of-state buyers rejected.

City council is looking for a mechanism to stop out-of-state limited liability companies (LLCs) purchasing property at auction.

Violence prevention funds to be redirected to city trucks, $6m planning contracts in jeopardy, and out-of-state property buyers to be blocked–Tell council what you think.

Walnut Capital to get a $1.2 million tax break from the county.

Despite expressing misgivings during discussion, council authorized $1.2 million in tax relief for a prominent local developer.

Medical examiner expected to investigate all jail inmate deaths.

Allegheny County Council wants increased transparency regarding the deaths of incarcerated individuals.

Investigating jail inmate deaths, Walnut Capital’s $1.2 million tax break and abating asbestos and lead.