AI pioneer and former Carnegie Mellon administrator’s emails point to yearslong ties to Jeffrey Epstein In April 2011, the world-renowned artificial intelligence expert Roger Schank separated from his wife and found himself down and lonely. He reached out...

Yearslong email exchanges between Jeffrey Epstein and a former Carnegie Mellon University administrator illustrates the way academics used Epstein’s money and connections as a means to advance their own career goals. www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...

Western Pa. school districts spend thousands to maintain unused schools community members want to see revitalized The former Knoxville Middle School sits silent in the middle of the Knoxville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, darkness radiating behind windows not yet boarded...

The Post-Gazette sent Right-To-Know requests to Allegheny County school districts to examine how much is being spent to upkeep closed schools. This is what @megantomasic.bsky.social found. www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...

How Sen. Dave McCormick navigated a wild first year as Pennsylvania’s purple state Republican WASHINGTON — A year after he arrived on Capitol Hill, U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick leaned forward in his sunny, seventh-floor office and said he’s...

Across multiple interviews with @samjanesch.bsky.social of @post-gazette.com in Washington and Pennsylvania in recent weeks, U.S. Sen. McCormick outlined the approach he’s taken in his first year as Pa’s newest senator. www.post-gazette.com/news/politic...

A Pittsburgh skate park gains popularity but draws pushback over noise, legal status A sparsely used park in Oakland’s Panther Hollow neighborhood has been transformed into a colorful skate park that aims to foster community and belonging...

A Pittsburgh skate park has grown in popularity but has drawn pushback over noise and legal status www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2...

Bill from Rep. Deluzio targets 'ripoff' of costly sports stadiums hot dogs and beer As President Donald Trump calls affordability concerns a “hoax” and Democrats look to highlight the issue in the upcoming midterm elections,...

Bill from Rep. Deluzio targets 'ripoff' of costly sports stadiums hot dogs and beer

Pittsburgh Public Schools directors vote against closing schools Pittsburgh Public Schools directors are not moving forward with a plan to close schools. Directors during Tuesday’s legislative session at the Oakland...

After two years of discussion and intense community pushback, the Pittsburgh Public school board voted against a school closure plan that would have shuttered nine schools. Story via @megantomasic.bsky.social www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...

Fetterman opens up about mental health struggles, feud with Shapiro in new memoir WASHINGTON — John Fetterman took the campaign-branded, Pittsburgh Steelers-themed black and yellow “terrible towel” to his...

In John Fetterman’s memoir, he writes at length about his years-long feud with Gov. Josh Shapiro, a fellow Democrat with whom he is not on speaking terms. www.post-gazette.com/news/politic...

Pittsburgh-area schools credit cellphone bans for fewer fights, better focus among students The Woodland Hills High School cafeteria is a bustling spot. Students are often laughing and talking with each other. The sounds of ping pong balls bouncing...

Pa. school districts that have banned cellphones are reporting fewer fights and better student focus. Story via @megantomasic.bsky.social www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...

Pa. food bank demand soars as Shapiro accuses Trump administration of SNAP stonewalling The ongoing surge in demand at Pennsylvania food banks on Thursday — including one where Gov. Josh Shapiro condemned the federal government’s...

Pa. food bank demand soars as Shapiro accuses Trump administration of SNAP stonewalling

Election turnout spiked across Pittsburgh as Democrats surged in Pa. and nationally WASHINGTON — In a year when Democrats have fractured and debated endlessly about how to move forward in the enduring age of President Donald Trump,...

Turnout in Pittsburgh jumped by more than a third compared to the 2021 Pittsburgh mayoral race. Here’s an early look at voter turnout on Tuesday. www.post-gazette.com/news/electio...

Rural and small Pa. schools turn to sharing services with other districts as they face shrinking budgets and declining enrollments Tucked into the mountains of northern Pennsylvania, students in the Otto-Eldred School District faced a dilemma: spend a full hour of the school day on...

Pennsylvania rural schools are struggling. Here’s how some are surviving, via @megantomasic.bsky.social www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...

2 Beaver County school districts considering sharing superintendent The Rochester Area and New Brighton Area school districts are considering sharing a superintendent. The plan, presented during a town hall meeting Monday...

Two Western Pa. school districts are considering sharing a superintendent as they face declining enrollments and budgetary constraints. Story from @megantomasic.bsky.social www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...

Pittsburgh Public Schools set for major changes over next 2 years With 14 schools on the chopping block and 12 slated for different grades or uses, Pittsburgh Public Schools is set for an overhaul.

Fantastic reporting from @megantomasic.bsky.social: With 14 schools on the chopping block and 12 slated for other uses, Pittsburgh students are facing major changes newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/pittsburgh-p...

Control of Pa. House up for grabs on Tuesday as Mon Valley voters pick a lawmaker The bakery and the bank and other businesses are gone, vacant storefronts are numerous, and as owner Carlitez Thompson cuts hair and talks inside the Royal...

Control of Pa. House up for grabs on Tuesday as Mon Valley voters pick a lawmaker. The special election will likely break the 101-101 tie between Democrats and Republicans that exists in the chamber. www.post-gazette.com/news/politic...

Marc Fogel and Corey Comperatore's family to be guests at Trump's address to Congress WASHINGTON — First Lady Melania Trump has invited Marc Fogel and his mother Malphine, as well as the family of late firefighter Corey Comperatore,...

Marc Fogel and Corey Comperatore's family to be guests at Trump's address to Congress

VP Vance attacks last year's Pennsylvania visit by Zelenskyy in contentious White House meeting “You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October,” Vance scolded Zelenskyy at the White House.

Vance attacked last year's Pennsylvania visit by Zelenskyy in contentious White House meeting www.post-gazette.com/news/politic...

More Allegheny County schools are ending snow days. But do students actually attend online? When the snow falls, kids today are no longer guaranteed anticipation-filled mornings dreaming of sled riding and building snowmen as they wait for a snow...

More school districts are opting for virtual days instead of snow days, but are students actually logging on for classes? @megantomasic.bsky.social filed Right to Know requests to find out www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...

McCormick applauds Trump and the bipartisan push to free Marc Fogel from Russia WASHINGTON — Sen. Dave McCormick first heard hints of good news about Marc Fogel a few days before his eventual release — learning from the...

Sen. Dave McCormick told @benkail.bsky.social the release of Marc Fogel from Russia was a bipartisan push www.post-gazette.com/news/politic...

Meet the Pine-Richland student fighting to keep access to books in her school Elise Duckworth stood at the podium in the Pine-Richland School District’s board room one day this fall, stressing to school directors the importance...

Meet the 17-year-old fighting to keep books from being removed in her high school www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...

Pa. Republicans planning 'unified and strategic' approach to unseating Josh Shapiro in 2026 HARRISBURG — At least 12 times in 2021 and early 2022, Pennsylvanians heard about a different Republican who wanted to be governor, among them two...

Pennsylvania Republicans are planning a “unified and strategic” approach to unseating Gov. Josh Shapiro in 2026. www.post-gazette.com/news/politic...

Trump’s Day 1 plans poised to impact Pennsylvania on energy, immigration WASHINGTON — Day 1.  That’s when oil and gas industry leaders expect action from the incoming Trump administration as it pushes to tap...

Trump’s Day 1 plans poised to impact Pennsylvania on energy and immigration. Story from @benkail.bsky.social www.post-gazette.com/news/politic...

Pa. panel launches attempt to tie some funding for Pitt, 2 other universities to performance HARRISBURG – A new council on Tuesday met in the Capitol to start figuring out how to make at least some of the half-billion dollars-plus that the...

Pa. panel launches attempt to tie some funding for Pitt, 2 other universities to performance

BREAKING | President Joe Biden officially blocked U.S. Steel's sale to Japanese steelmaker Nippon "on behalf of America's national interests."

🔗: www.post-gazette.com/business/pow...

Suspect in killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO denied bail as he fights extradition to New York On Monday, Mr. Mangione was recognized by a McDonald’s employee in Altoona from photos widely distributed by the New York City Police Department following the Dec. 4 shooting death of Brian Thompson o...

Luigi Mangione, the man facing charges in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, will remain in a state prison in Pennsylvania for at least 30 days.

Great reporting and photos from our reporters and photographer in Altoona. www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-c...