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Penn State should stay neutral re union
One hundred and two state legislators, senators and representatives of the General Assembly are publicly calling on Penn State University’s administration to exercise neutrality toward faculty unionization. State Sen. Jay Costa, minority leader, sent the letter to...
School crossing signs, zone signals in McCandless area to be replaced, upgraded
Students in the North Allegheny School District should have a safer experience when waiting for the bus or walking to school. A grant of $134,415 from PennDOT’s Automated Red Light Enforcement program was awarded to McCandless for replacing faded school crossing...
False claims laws in other states have brought in millions. Why hasn’t it passed in Pa.?
HARRISBURG — For more than two decades, state lawmakers from both parties have pushed for a new law to crack down on fraudulent government spending and encourage whistleblowers to come forward. Each time, powerful health care and business interests stunted those...
PHEAA board votes to keep awarding scholarships after partisan dispute on funding
A partisan divide has emerged on the board of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) over how quickly the agency should be handing out funds from a recently-enacted scholarship program, with potential implications for the upcoming state budget.
More than 100 state lawmakers support Penn State faculty union efforts
More than 100 state lawmakers are supporting a unionization attempt for Penn State University faculty, as a vote to unionize could come this spring. Minority Leader Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, sent a letter to Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi on behalf of 102...
A.W. Beattie Legislative Breakfast and Tour
Springdale demonstrators plead for detained immigrant Cordova Flores, as confrontation ensues
A Valentine’s Day rally drew about 200 demonstrators to Springdale, where speakers decried the immigration arrest of Randy Cordova Flores and called for a review of the borough’s relationship with immigration authorities. But while Cordova Flores’ supporters spoke...
Local lawmakers question ICE’s detention of Springdale father
Though local officials have mostly remained silent,the Alle-Kiski Valley’s lawmakers are seeking more details after a traffic stop in Springdale ended with a local father in ICE custody on Tuesday. Randy Cordova-Flores, 36, remains in custody at Northern Regional...
Sharpsburg continues to rack up funding for multimillion-dollar Allegheny Shores development
Transformation of the Sharpsburg riverfront continues to chug along, with officials shoring up streetscape plans expected to improve safety and access to the site. Councilman Roman Mason believes work near the 19th Street entrance of the proposed Allegheny Shores...
Nearly 1 million Pennsylvanians will qualify for new earned income tax credit in 2026
As tax season ramps up, elected officials and advocates are highlighting a new state tax credit that can put hundreds of dollars into the pockets of working families this year. Close to 1 million Pennsylvanians will qualify for the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit in...
Cheswick plans to redo sidewalks, add lights along Pittsburgh Street
Cheswick’s main business district could see significant updates soon. The borough plans to repave its sidewalks and curbs and add light poles along Pittsburgh Street with a $1.1 million state grant, according to Council President Brad Yaksich. Yaksich said the effort...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Applauds Governor Shapiro’s Budget Proposal that Protects Taxpayer Dollars and Invests in Working Families
Harrisburg, Pa. − February 3, 2026 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) issues this statement following Governor Josh Shapiro’s budget address today:
“I want to applaud Governor Shapiro for recognizing that we must protect whistleblowers to stop fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayer money. A state False Claims Act has been a top priority for me since I took office. Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and I have reintroduced Senate Bill 38, the Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Act, again this session. This legislation encourages whistleblowers to come forward and report false or fraudulent claims against the Pennsylvania government in order to protect taxpayer dollars.
Pa. House Advances Appliance Efficiency Bill, Promising Billions in Savings
HARRISBURG, PA — A bipartisan majority of the Pennsylvania House on Monday approved legislation that supporters say could quietly reshape household budgets and energy use across the Commonwealth, advancing minimum efficiency standards for a wide range of appliances...
Blawnox launches ‘soft dig’ to test water lines throughout borough
Blawnox officials are taking steps to ensure that borough infrastructure is built to last. A “soft dig” project will kick off this spring to test water line composition throughout the borough. “The project will allow the borough to dig down to certain water lines and...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams to Introduce Election Security Legislation
Pittsburgh, Pa. − January 28, 2026 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) announced today that she will introduce a package of legislation to strengthen, protect, and modernize Pennsylvania’s Election Code. This package includes targeted reforms designed to...
Fox Chapel’s Cooper-Siegel library opens $2.5M expansion, ‘a space where ideas can flourish’
Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel has started a new chapter, one that bolsters its mission of cultivating a community of lifelong learners. On Jan. 23, the library opened its $2.5 million expansion of the facility’s lower level, complete with a Makerspace,...
Lawmakers, pet advocates push bill spurred by pet cremation scandal
State Sen. Nick Pisciottano said the state’s framework for pet cremation oversight is “a little like the Wild West.” The legislator, whose district includes Plum, Monroeville and parts of the Mon Valley, proposed Senate Bill 950 to strengthen consumer protection and...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Announces Nearly $6 Million in Grant Funding for Local Water and Transit Infrastructure Projects
Pittsburgh, Pa. January 20, 2026 − In partnership with state representatives, Senator Lindsey M. Williams announced over $3 million in Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) grants and over $2.8 million in Small Water and Sewer Program grants for projects across Senate...
Harrison hospital opens $6.2M rehab center for stroke, surgery recovery
A $6.2 million tech-forward rehab facility opened Thursday at AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison, making it the only stroke and surgery recovery center of its kind in the region, according to Allegheny Health Network officials. “This is equipment that few...
State Senate Democrats Introduce Bill to Protect and Improve Access to Contraceptives in Pennsylvania
Democratic state senators are introducing legislation in Harrisburg to require insurance companies to provide coverage for contraceptives. The legislation aims to ensure access to contraceptives after the Dobbs v. Jackson ruling hurt reproductive health care access in...
Northland Public Library celebrates results of $4.1M renovation at ribbon-cutting ceremony
Northland Public Library celebrated its newly renovated and more functional space with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 8. A large crowd gathered in the library’s front spacious lobby, via the new lower-level main entrance, to tour the robust additions to the $4.1...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Joins Celebration of the New Northland Library
Pittsburgh, Pa. − January 8, 2026 − This morning, Senator Lindsey M. Williams joined the Northland Library community and other local leaders for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the “New Northland.” “The New Northland is an incredible example of...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Denounces Impending Closure of The Post-Gazette Following Labor Union Victory In Court
Pittsburgh, Pa − January 7, 2026 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams issues this statement following today’s announcement that the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will cease operations on May 3, 2026. The owners of the newspaper blamed the recent labor...
Post-Gazette parent company says the paper will end publication in May
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pulitzer Prize winning newspaper serving the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, is set to shut down on May 3, according to its owners. The move will impact the paper’s print and digital content. The paper’s parent company, Block...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Announces $5.6 Million in Local Share and Act 13 Grant Funding for Local Neighborhoods
December 18, 2025 --- In partnership with state representatives, Senator Lindsey M. Williams announced more than $5.2 million in Local Share Account grant funding for projects. These projects will improve the daily quality of life for people across Senate District 38...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Announces Legislation to Prohibit Surveillance Pricing
Pittsburgh, Pa. − December 15, 2025 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) announced today that she plans to introduce legislation that will outlaw surveillance pricing in Pennsylvania. “Families are already facing higher than ever prices at the grocery...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Applauds Senate Confirmation of Education Secretary Carrie Rowe
Harrisburg, Pa. − December 9, 2025 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, issues this statement following the Senate confirmation of the Honorable Carrie Rowe, Ed.D. as Secretary of Education: “I am excited to congratulate...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Rep. Arvind Venkat, and Library Officials Celebrate Public Libraries and State Budget Increase
Pittsburgh, Pa. − December 9, 2025 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) Representative Arvind Venkat (D-30), representatives from the Allegheny County Library Association, and Board Members and staff from the Northland Library gathered on Friday to...
Senator Williams Celebrates Public Libraries and Budget Increase
Senator Williams Recognizes Library Champions
Public Library Budget Increase Celebration
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Joins Governor Shapiro to Celebrate Child Care Worker Staff Retention and Recruitment Program
Pittsburgh, Pa. − December 3, 2025 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, joined Governor Josh Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, Rep. Joe McAndrew, and leaders in early childhood...
Senator Williams Celebrates Childcare Staff Retention and Recruitment Program
Senator Lindsey Williams Expanding the Childcare Workforce
Childcare Staff Retention and Recruitment Program Press Conference
Senators Cappelletti and Saval Fight for Accountable Policing, Introduce Bill to Unmask Federal ICE Agents
Harrisburg, PA − November 24, 2025 – As Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents continue to ramp up their efforts to detain and arrest civilians, Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-17, Montgomery/Delaware) and Senator Nikil Saval (D-1, Philadelphia) introduced...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Minority Chair of Senate Education Committee, Denounces Trump Administration’s Continued Attempts to Destroy Public Education
Pittsburgh, Pa. − November 19, 2025 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, issues this statement in response to yesterday’s announcement of the Trump Administration’s aggressive steps toward further dismantling the...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Announces Over $2 Million in Grant Funding for Community-Sustaining Projects
Pittsburgh, Pa. − November 18, 2025 − In partnership with local state representatives, Senator Lindsey M. Williams announced more than $2 million in grant funding for local projects that will address water infrastructure, public safety, and community needs across...