2 million Pennsylvanians to lose federal food assistance

As more than 2 million Pennsylvanians brace for the loss of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food assistance unless Washington Republicans act, state Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., and his Democratic colleagues are introducing legislation to use a portion of Pennsylvania’s Rainy Day Fund to help feed families in need across the commonwealth.

Due to the ongoing federal budget stalemate — which will cause 2 million Pennsylvanians to lose federal food assistance this Saturday — and with nearly 150,000 residents already losing access because of new federal eligibility restrictions, urgent relief for Pennsylvania families is needed.

Khan is introducing a companion bill to the Senate Democrats PA Food Bank and Hunger Relief Program, introduced by Sens. Art Haywood, D-Montgomery/Phila., and Jay Costa, D-Allegheny, a proposal to strengthen the state’s food security network amid rising hunger and federal cutbacks.

Under the plan, Pennsylvania would:

• Allocate $50 million to support local food banks across all 67 counties.
• Provide $10 million to Meals on Wheels to deliver meals to older adults and individuals with disabilities.
• Add resources to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to coordinate and oversee the program statewide.

Khan emphasized that hunger is not only a health issue, but a matter of human dignity.

“As a nurse practitioner, I’ve seen how hunger hurts people’s health — especially children and older adults,” Khan said. “Kids can’t learn or grow when they’re hungry, and older adults shouldn’t have to skip meals to afford medicine. Hunger harms the body and robs people of their dignity. No one in Pennsylvania should have to feel unsafe or ashamed because they can’t afford to eat.”

Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D–Luzerne, majority chair of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, stressed that the proposal is both a moral and practical necessity.

“Food is not a luxury -- it’s a necessity,” Pashinski said. “Our food banks and local producers work tirelessly to feed our communities, but they can’t do it alone. We can’t allow Pennsylvania families to go hungry. This initiative gives our charitable food system the stability and resources needed to meet this growing crisis head on and ensure every family has access to nutritious food.”

Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, House chair of the Legislative Hunger Caucus, highlighted the urgency of action before the charitable food network reaches a breaking point.

“Our charitable food system, particularly in rural areas, is on the brink of collapse without funding from the state or federal government,” Kinkead said. “With SNAP payments not coming on Nov. 1, people are being directed to their local food banks — but where will they go if those organizations close? If we do not act, Pennsylvanians will suffer irreparable harm. We can continue to debate our budget, but we have to stop playing politics with real people’s lives. Let us help people today and get back to the negotiating table tonight.”

In addition to legislative efforts, Sen. Vincent Hughes will also hold a “People Over Politics” press conference at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, with the Share Food Program (2901 W. Hunting Park Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19129) in Philadelphia to highlight how Republican obstruction in Washington and Harrisburg is worsening hunger across Pennsylvania. The event will call for lawmakers to fully fund healthcare, SNAP and LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and pass a responsible state budget that invests in working families. Members of the Philadelphia House Delegation will join Hughes and Senate members in standing with organizations like Share Food that are on the frontlines of fighting food insecurity.

Khan thanked Senate Democrats for their work creating this bill and his House co-prime sponsors for their partnership and shared commitment to ending hunger across Pennsylvania:

• Pashinski
• Kinkead
• Rep. Jose Giral, D-Phila.
• Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, D-York
• Rep. Roni Green, D-Phila.
• Rep. Andre Carroll, D-Phila.
• Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freyitz, D-Berks
• Rep. Sean Dougherty, D-Phila.
• Rep. Danilo Burgos, D-Phila.
• Rep. Jim Haddock, D-Lackawanna/Luzerne

The PA Food Bank and Hunger Relief Program will be formally introduced in both chambers this week. Lawmakers are urging bipartisan support to ensure Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents are not left behind.

Due to Federal Government Shutdown, Opening of the 2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Season Delayed to December: https://bit.ly/474wRMV

Due to the federal government shutdown, Pennsylvania must delay the opening of the 2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season by one month, until December 3, 2025, because the Department of Human Services (DHS) has not yet received its federal allocation for 2025-2026 LIHEAP funds. Without action from the White House or the Republican-controlled Congress to reopen the federal government or release LIHEAP funding to states, DHS will be unable to open the LIHEAP season as previously scheduled on November 3, 2025.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by DHS where benefits are distributed directly to a household’s utility company or home heating fuel provider on behalf of qualified Pennsylvanians who need help paying their home heating bills during winter months. On average, Pennsylvania receives more than $215 million every year for LIHEAP – in 2023, the Commonwealth received $216 million and in 2024, $229 million. Pennsylvania cannot backfill these costs.

“The LIHEAP Program helps more than 300,000 Pennsylvania families heat their homes during the colder months – and is especially critical for older adults and low-income families. Inaction from the Republican-controlled Congress now threatens access to this assistance,” said Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “I urge Congress and the White House to recognize the serious consequences that limiting heating assistance will have on the health and safety of people in Pennsylvania. Congress must come together for a solution that protects people most at risk.” 

For immediate needs during the shutdown, Pennsylvanians can use PA Navigate at pa-navigate.org to help find resources. Local help is also available by calling 211 or visiting pa211.org.

From Public Source

Omnibus anti-Trump rallies again enlivened public spaces from McCandless to Downtown to Mt. Lebanon and throughout the Pittsburgh region.

A large No Kings protest in downtown Pittsburgh brought strong condemnations of President Donald Trump’s administration Saturday, but little disorder as rallies in Southwestern Pennsylvania and nationwide occurred largely peacefully.

Democratic officials and civil liberties activists took the microphone in front of the City-County Building, on Grant Street, where a crowd of thousands cheered.

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee drew deafening cheers when she declared that “the time to build a better world is now.”

Lee, D-Swissvale, warned that powerful forces were trying to divide the country. 

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, speaks during the No Kings protest in the portico of the City-County Building on Oct. 18, in Downtown. (Photo by Quinn Glabicki/Pittsburgh’s Public Source)

“Authoritarianism needs silence, a people who don’t know their power,” she said, predicting that “things are going to get ugly” before an authoritarianism trend is reversed.

“The country you all have known maybe doesn’t exist anymore,” she said. “But the country in your hearts is what we’re fighting for.”

Nationwide, the No Kings movement said it was organizing 2,500 Saturday events nationwide. Besides the marquee event Downtown, local affiliates announced events in Allegheny Center, Point Breeze, Mt. Lebanon, McCandless, Coraopolis, Sewickley, Robinson and the county seats of most of Allegheny County’s neighbors.

The Downtown event was organized by Indivisible Pittsburgh with Indivisible Black Neighborhoods United, the Black Political Empowerment Project, 1Hood Power, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, Casa San Jose, Progress PA, Stand Up For Science, the League of Women Voters, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Coalition of Labor Union Women.

Public safety workers estimated that a No Kings gathering near Allegheny Center drew around 3,000 people, and the Downtown event appeared to be several times larger.

Attendee Maria Eshelman, of Allison Park, said she joined the protest because she “doesn’t like what’s going on.” She said she didn’t vote for Trump in any election but that his second administration “is even more alarming.” 

She said she had family members who fought in World War II against fascism and that she and the others are also fighting fascism now.

“I have children and grandchildren and I want them to live in a free democracy.” 

She noted the administration’s anti-immigrant rhetoric and actions, taking place in a country built on immigration. “It’s hypocritical to kick immigrants out of this country.”

Republicans have sought to associate the No Kings events with the ongoing government shutdown and tie it to extremism.

House Speaker Mike Johnson this week dubbed the event the “Hate America rally” at a news conference on Wednesday. Some state leaders, including Texas’ Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, have decided to activate the National Guard ahead of the protests.

Reaction from the right appeared to be muted by late afternoon. Trump was reported to be staying at home at Mar-a-Lago, Florida.

U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Aspinwall, summarized the day’s big takeaway, saying, “peaceful protest is an American thing,” and “we don’t mess around with kings.”

An SEIU leader’s mention of U.S. Sen John Fetterman brought boos. The leader accused him of failing to show backbone in the Democrats’ fight to protect healthcare benefits. Fetterman, a Democrat from Braddock, has occasionally voted with Republicans including in relation to ending the ongoing federal government shutdown. Fetterman did not appear to be in attendance.

For the most part, speakers focused on countering Trump, both broadly and in specific policy areas.

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato told the crowd, “we are keeping the National Guard off these streets” through legal action against the administration. Pennsylvania has joined a multistate lawsuit aiming to keep Trump from further domestic deployments of the Guard.

“We found the money to keep refugees and immigrants in Allegheny County,” Innamorato added, referring to county efforts to fill gaps in funding for programs defunded by Trump.

ACLU Legal Director Vic Walczak took to a stage accompanied by a Trump puppet. He told the crowd that the president’s domestic actions constituted an invasion of America.

“Democracy only works if we can criticize our government,” he said. He told the crowd to study resistance movements to oppressive government across the world and emphasized the importance of keeping resistance nonviolent, but “loud, proud and persistent.”

Deluzio called for the elimination of Super PACs which funnel unlimited funds into political races and called on the administration to “release the Epstein files.”

Soon after, protesters moved through Downtown toward Mellon Square, chanting, “No ICE, no KKK, no fascist USA.”

Source: Public Source, For more coverage click here

                      HAIL TO THE POSSIBLE: The Enhancement of Pitt Students’ Agency  

                     “The best things about any school are not what is said about it,

                      but what is lived out by its alumni.”

                                          - Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, 2002- 

The University of Pittsburgh is the top public university in Pennsylvania.  Nationally, as well as internationally, its excellence has been externally verified.  As noted by the March 31, 2025 Pittwire, “Business leaders look to Pitt as a highly selective source of talented graduates, according to a new list by Forbes that named the University a “New Ivy.”  …The list, in its second year, notes highly selective universities whose students are ‘outpacing most Ivy Leaguers in the eyes of employers,’ chosen by executives who subscribe to Forbes newsletters.  Pitt is a new addition to this year’s list, making it the only Pennsylvania university to be named as a public ‘New Ivy.’  The distinction joins other recent accolades by the University, including as a best college for future leaders according to Time Magazine, among the top 50 universities powering global innovation per Clarivate, and the No. 8 U.S. public university according to the U.S. News and World Report.”

Given its externally verified successes, the University of Pittsburgh appropriately expresses itself  in the following terms:  [1] “Hail to the possible!” and [2] “With a demonstrated spirit of tackling the unachievable for over 230 years, Pitt is making the most innovative future imaginable today.”  The University of Pittsburgh has more than 350,000 alumni.  Given the importance of alumni as the embodiment of institutional reputations, Chancellor Joan Gabel was asked how the University of Pittsburgh contributes to its students’ sense of agency.  

Personal agency is used herein to refer to people having a sense of as well as the ability to make significant choices and take related actions regarding key aspects of their lives.  The lack of agency includes a sense of helplessness; a feeling of being a victim of circumstances; and a general inability to influence your life circumstances.  Agency is also used herein in reference to how University of Pittsburgh graduates view their abilities to not only advance their personal goals, but also influence regional, national and international circumstances in ways that advance our Constitutional ideals.

Regarding the University of Pittsburgh’s contributions to its student’s sense of agency, Chancellor Gabel indicated the following: “Cultivating student success represents the first pillar of our strategic plan, the Plan for Pitt 2028. We also recognize that student success goes far beyond the classroom and must include agency to define one’s path and trust that one can turn possibility into achievement. We have approached this area of student success from multiple perspectives: academic; professional; social; economic; wellness; civic engagement; and through free speech and civil discourse.

The As a founding member of the Institute for Citizens & Scholars (C&S) Campus Call for Free Expression, Pitt deepens our focus on civic preparedness through this partnership. Through C&S’ programs, students refine their skills — speaking with confidence, listening with care, reflecting deeply and building common ground. The video “Real Talk: Across Campus, Across Divides” captures how students practice these habits, preparing them to engage responsibly in a society that depends on dialogue, resilience and shared purpose.

The Year of Discourse and Dialogue, for example, placed students at the center of projects advancing civil conversation. Initiatives such as Public Art as a Dialogue Generator, the First Amendment Rights Teach-in, and Writing Gen Q: Creating Intergenerational Dialogue through Creative Writing invited students to lead dialogue across difference. In Writing Gen Q, students bridged generational divides through storytelling, showing that agency at Pitt means more than self-expression: It is the power to shape understanding and build lasting connections.

Long-standing traditions further reinforce student voice and leadership. The William Pitt Debating Union, one of the nation’s oldest, prepares students through the discipline of reasoned argument. Programs like Pitt Votes and the Student Government Board give students a direct role in shaping campus culture, while the Community Engagement Centers extend these lessons outward as students work with neighborhoods across the region.

This commitment to agency extends beyond civic dialogue into the realm of discovery. The University underscores intellectual agency by encouraging students to be creators of knowledge rather than passive recipients. Across schools and majors, undergraduates conduct research with faculty mentors, complete capstone projects and pursue discovery-driven courses. These opportunities invite students to frame questions, generate insights and contribute to innovation at a university recognized among the world’s top institutions powering global progress.

Through civil discourse, leadership, service, and discovery, Pitt is preparing our students to elevate the communities where they live, work and serve. In this spirit, we are proud that our students are being nationally recognized for this important work, including through the naming of Pitt’s 14th Truman scholar (first since 2020). We look forward to supporting our students toward even greater impact, while also continuing the University’s important momentum in the years ahead and through the Plan for Pitt 2028.”

Pitt administrators, staff, faculty and staff are to be commended for having the cultivation of student success as the first pillar of their strategic plan for 2028. Most importantly, Pitt is to be commended for producing graduates with demonstrable agency.  For example, please consider the following accounts of distinguished Pitt Alumni.

(1)  Blue, Gold and Black 2004 (See, https://www.chancellor-emeritus.pitt.edu/sites/default/pdfs/BlueGoldBlack2004.pdf)

(2)  “Notable Pitt Women you should know this women’s History Month,” a list that includes a Nobel Laurate (See,  Notable Pitt women you should know this Women’s History Month | University of Pittsburgh);

(3)  the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Fellows (See, University of Pittsburgh Philanthropic & Alumni Engagement - Alumni Recognition) and 

(4)   the 2025 Alumni Honorees (See, University of Pittsburgh Philanthropic & Alumni Engagement - Announcing Pitt’s 2025 Alumni Awards Honorees).  

Truly, as evidenced by the above examples, Pitt alumni have in many ways made the impossible possible!  As a final bit of advice regarding the realization of agency by Pitt alumni, consider the following advice from Pitt alum,  MacArthur Genius Award winner, William Strickland (Make the Impossible Possible: One Man’s Crusade to Inspire Others to Dream Bigger and Achieve the Extraordinary), “Trust your passion, identify your dreams, and find the courage to share them with others, no matter how many times they call you a fool.”

Jack L. Daniel

Co-founder, Freed Panther Society

Contributor, Pittsburgh Urvan Meida

Author, Negotiating a Historically White University While Black

October 9, 2025

On September 23, 2025, the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh convened civic, judicial, health, and academic leaders for its annual State of Black Pittsburgh forum. The event brought together more than 200 attendees for an evening of honest conversation, reflection, and a shared call to collective action.

A Forum of Expertise and Urgency
The program opened with remarks from Bryan Iams, Board Chair of the Urban League, and Esther L. Bush, Interim President & CEO, before presenting a range of powerful perspectives.

Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, appearing virtually, framed his keynote around the “Complex and Evolving State of Black PA.” He emphasized that while progress has been made, structural inequities persist across health, education, and economic access, and affirmed that Black leadership is essential in building solutions.

Mayor Ed Gainey underscored the urgent need for African American participation in construction and contracting, noting that the city has secured three major deals with Black contractors. He challenged organizations to commit 10–15% of their contracts to Black businesses and called for greater collaboration across sectors to expand economic opportunity.

Judge Kim Berkeley Clark delivered her original poem, “The Silence Is Deafening,” which spoke to centuries of marginalization and the ongoing struggle for dignity and justice. She also reminded the audience of the critical role of voter participation in ensuring equitable representation and policy outcomes.

Dr. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, Chief Clinical Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Allegheny Health Network, drew attention to devastating racial disparities in maternal and infant health. She cited data showing that Black infants in Pittsburgh die two to three times more often than White infants, while Black mothers face mortality rates three to four times higher. She emphasized that “health is wealth,” urging health equity as central to community growth.

Dr. Joe Trotter, Jr., Professor of History at Carnegie Mellon University, called for a reparative agenda in his talk, “A New History of Black Pittsburgh: Towards a Reparation Framework.” He noted the national debate on reparations and argued that structural transformation in Pittsburgh requires both historical reckoning and forward-looking commitments.

Community Engagement and Closing Reflections
The panel was followed by an audience Q&A, where community members pressed leaders on accountability, inclusion, and next steps. Esther Bush closed the evening by emphasizing the importance of collaboration over credit, while Iams urged shared ownership of change.

A Catalyst for Change
The 2025 State of Black Pittsburgh was not just a forum but a space for reckoning, where leaders and community members alike affirmed that the fight for justice, equity, and opportunity must be collective and sustained.

Today, we celebrate a powerful and joyful win for our city. One that underscores the strength, love, and resilience of our community. The organizations awarded through the Stop the Violence Fund (STV) are not only grantees; they are guardians of our youth, advocates for change, and partners in healing. 

Over the past three years, Pittsburgh has witnessed a steady and meaningful decline in homicides and non-fatal incidents among adults ages 18 and 30 and most notably, among our youth. These numbers tell a story of transformation: 

• Overall Homicides: 

           2022-71 

           2023-52 

           2024-42 

• Black Men: 

           2022-63 

           2023-44 

           2024-39 

• Black Women: 

           2022-8 

           2023-8 

           2024-3 

• Teens Under 18: 

           2022-7 

           2023-7 

           2024-0 

These aren’t just numbers. These are lives saved. Families protected. Communities healing. And at the heart of this progress are the grassroots organizations that kept showing up – in the streets, in schools, in living rooms and parks; providing support, hope and real alternatives, often under-resourced and overworked. The STV grantees have boots on the ground and hearts in their work. 

We honor the community members who stood up. Who advocated, who organized, who showed up not only for funding but this city’s future. Their voice was clear: protect our children, invest in peace and stand with us. 

“As Mayor, I take seriously my responsibility to protect our communities, but it was the community itself that came out and advocated to secure this funding, said Mayor Ed Gainey. “It is your commitment, your presence, and your advocacy that made this possible. This is what shared leadership looks like. This is what joy looks like.” 

This administration understands that lasting change happens when the City and the community work hand in hand. The Stop the Violence Fund embodies that commitment. With a historic award of nearly $1.8 million —the largest single grant investment in the fund’s history—we are doubling down on community-driven solutions to prevent violence and build safer neighborhoods. 

Mayor Gainey also expressed thanks to the organizations funded through STV for continuing to support Pittsburgh’s young people and communities for advocating boldly, and for helping to create safer, more hopeful neighborhoods. Whether mentoring youth, mediating conflict, supporting families, or creating safe spaces, these groups are transforming lives and by extension, transforming the City. 

As the Mayor stated, “We work together to save our children. We stand together to protect our neighborhoods. We rise together with love, purpose, and unity. This is a win for all of us.  I also want to thank our police officers for working hand in hand with community groups to help save lives and build a safer future.” 

Source: City of Pittsburgh

January 9, 2025

After a comprehensive national search, Professor and Vice Dean Jerry Dickinson has been named dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, effective Jan. 15.

A Pittsburgh native, Dickinson has built a national, international and local reputation as a constitutional law scholar and civil rights lawyer. He has extensive litigation and transactional pro bono experience in civil rights and civil liberties.

Dickinson joined the Pitt Law faculty in 2017 and was appointed as vice dean in March 2023. His teaching and scholarship specialize in constitutional law, civil rights and civil liberties, judicial federalism, property, law and democracy, and race and the law. He has been published in the nation’s top law reviews and cited by U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 3rd and 6th Circuits, amicus briefs filed by members of Congress in federal courts, and in national and international news outlets.

Before joining the Pitt Law faculty, Dickinson practiced at Reed Smith LLP in Pittsburgh, where he founded and coordinated the Housing Rights Project, a pro bono initiative advocating for indigent tenants in eviction proceedings in Allegheny County. He also served as a law clerk for Theodore A. McKee, former chief judge of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia.

Dickinson is also a former Fulbright scholar to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he studied comparative constitutional law and housing. There he worked as a human rights activist, representing squatters in eviction proceedings.

Dickinson holds a JD from Fordham University; a LLM from the University of the Witwatersrand School of Law in Johannesburg, South Africa; and an AB in political science and sociology from the College of the Holy Cross.

“I deeply thank Mary Crossley for her exceptional service during her time as interim dean,” Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Joseph J. McCarthy said in an announcement. Crossley served as dean of the School of Law from 2005 to 2012 and agreed to serve once again in July 2023. “Her efforts on behalf of the school have been both highly effective and excellent.”

McCarthy also thanked the search committee — co-chaired by Gene Anderson, Henry E. Haller Jr. Dean of the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business and College of Business Administration, and Carissa Slotterback, dean of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs — for their diligent efforts throughout the search process.

A growing number of Pennsylvania children and youth are experiencing homelessness, with studies from the 2022-23 school year estimating more than 45,000 children lived on the street, doubled up with friends and relatives, or found temporary relief at shelters, hotels and motels. The figure is an increase and a record for the state, up from more than 40,000 children and youth estimated to have experienced homelessness in the 2021-22 school year.

“We know families that experience financial hardships will do whatever they can to survive, living with relatives by couch surfing or spending nights in a car to stay together at all costs,” said state Rep. Gina H. Curry, who represents portions of Delaware County. “Homeless youth oftentimes go undetected, with parents unwilling to reveal their financial struggles out of the fear protective services will break up their family. That’s why we suspect this problem is even greater than the reported numbers, and it’s one of the driving forces in passing legislation to address this growing population.”

Lawmakers and advocates, including those who experienced the life-threatening danger of living without a home as a child, gathered in Harrisburg to highlight meaningful legislation.

“Politicians oftentimes use the phrase ‘most vulnerable’ to describe numerous groups of individuals, but in the case of children experiencing homelessness is literally a life-and-death struggle to survive,” said state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, who represents portions of Lancaster County. “We know LGBTQ+ children and youth are kicked out of their homes, while other children choose to live on the streets rather than experience continued abuse at home. We need to invest in a brighter future for these children, not just for their future but also for the future of our state.”

The House currently has several bills to help improve the lives of children and youth experiencing homelessness, including H.B.s 127, 729, 730 and 1175, which would create a pilot program to study youth homelessness to help the General Assembly better understand the issues creating homelessness.

Pennsylvania Department of Education reported 46,714 children and youth in Pennsylvania experienced homelessness from July 1, 2022, through June. 30, 2023. Of this figure, 14% of the children had not yet enrolled in kindergarten and were infants through 5 years of age – and 17% of the children and youth were unaccompanied by an adult or guardian.

“It’s time we invest more in shelters tailored to our teens and young adults,” said Rep. Jeanne McNeill, who represents portions of Lehigh County. “It’s time we start implementing new policies and improve current policies that are proactive and allow us to prevent people from becoming homeless.”

The Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness program is designed to ensure that these children are provided the resources needed to stay in school and connected to their communities.

“Youth and children experiencing homelessness often experience setbacks while attempting to find stability in their lives,” said state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, who represents portions of Erie County. “My bill would provide assistance for youth to acquire identification that is pivotal for enrolling in schools, scheduling doctor appointments and employment.”

Bizzarro’s bill, H.B. 127, to help youth obtain identification and driver’s licenses passed the House with wide bipartisan support in July. 

State Rep. Melissa Shusterman’s H.B. 1175 would create a pilot program with students at four community colleges and two PASSHE institutions, where youth experiencing homelessness are provided with resources while pursuing higher education and career development.

Lawmakers, advocates and supporters of the effort to end youth homelessness who appeared at the news conference included state Rep. Curry; Rep. Jeanne McNeill; Rep. Smith-Wade-El; Jada Guiste, a Hope Through Learning Scholarship award recipient; Sonia Pitzi, the Regional 3 Coordinator for Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program; Patricia Maila, the Families in Transition Site Coordinator for the School District of Lancaster; Gwen Bailey, the vice president of programs for HopePHL; Doris Hagerman, the director of student services/homeless and Foster Care for Cumberland Valley School District.

Pittsburgh, PA – The pick is in for Pittsburgh. The NFL today announced that the 2026 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light will take place in Pittsburgh, incorporating elements of iconic Point State Park as well as Acrisure Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The announcement was made at the NFL Spring League Meeting in Nashville, following a review of Pittsburgh’s bid proposal by the Fan Engagement & Major Events Advisory Committee and full ownership.

“The NFL Draft is one of the biggest, most-anticipated sporting events of the year, and we’re thrilled to partner with the Pittsburgh Steelers and VisitPITTSBURGH for our 2026 event,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We have a unique opportunity to spotlight this wonderful community on a global stage, benefiting Pittsburgh’s economy and entertaining football fans from all markets. We know this pride of Pennsylvania will shine bright in 2026.”

“As Governor of Pennsylvania, I have been proud to make the case for Pittsburgh to host the NFL Draft, from my direct conversations with NFL leadership at last year's Super Bowl, to our administration’s consistent work alongside the Steelers and our local partners over the past year to showcase Pittsburgh’s great strengths,” said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. “Today, Pittsburgh has established itself as one of the most dynamic cities in the country – and as the birthplace of professional football, it is the best choice to host the draft. With all eyes on Pennsylvania during the nation’s 250th birthday, the Commonwealth is excited and ready to work together to host this historic draft and show the country what Pennsylvania is all about.”

The NFL Draft has quickly become one of the most anticipated sports events of the year with more than 50 million viewers worldwide. The three-day event is expected to draw representatives from all 32 NFL teams, top player prospects from the most iconic college conferences in the country and hundreds of thousands of devoted fans.

“Allegheny County is delighted to be the home of the 2026 NFL Draft. From greeting visitors at the updated Pittsburgh International Airport to showing off all of our fabulous cultural gems, we are a great place for sports fans from across the country to visit. Thank you to the host committee who helped put together this bid, we are looking forward to working with all of our partners to put on a welcoming and memorable NFL Draft,” said County Executive Sara Innamorato.

“Pittsburgh is honored to have been named the host city for the 2026 NFL Draft,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “This once in a lifetime opportunity will allow us to showcase our city to an international audience, and it will give us a chance to say to our global fanbase, come on home to Pittsburgh. We are excited for everyone to see the transformation that has taken place, and to see Pittsburgh as more than the City of Champions, but a place where everyone is safe and welcome. A city where everyone has a chance to thrive, and where football erases the boundaries of our 90 neighborhoods, and we become one city, united, to cheer on our beloved Steelers.”

Throughout the three-day event, Pittsburgh will host a slate of Draft activities including a variety of community events, Concert Series presented by Bud Light and NFL Draft Experience – the NFL's ultimate fan festival. Draft Experience will be free for fans, inviting them to participate in immersive exhibits and games; take photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy; enjoy the youth-focused Play 60 Zone; shop exclusive merchandise at NFL Shop presented by Visa; and score autographs from current NFL players and Legends.

“Being awarded the 2026 NFL Draft is a testament to Pittsburgh’s rich football legacy and a renowned recognition of our city’s vibrant culture and welcoming spirit,” said Jerad Bachar, President & CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH. “Momentum for Pittsburgh as the 2026 host city is only just beginning, and we look forward to working alongside our regional partners to plan and execute a world-class event that rolls out the black and gold carpet for football fans from across the country and around the world.”

The NFL Draft marks a full circle moment for the city and its namesake team the Pittsburgh Steelers, as the beginnings of what would become the first NFL Draft took place in 1936 at the first Player Selections Meeting at the Fort Pitt Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh.

“We are excited that the City of Pittsburgh has been selected to host the 2026 NFL Draft,” said Art Rooney II, Pittsburgh Steelers President. “This will be an amazing event that will highlight everything the region has to offer on a national and international level. I truly appreciate the work that has been done by VisitPITTSBURGH, the NFL, local and state officials, and internally within our organization to accomplish our goal of being selected to host the NFL Draft. We look forward to football fans from all across the country coming to enjoy our city’s culture while also showcasing our rich football history and tradition in the region.”

The NFL Draft has become the league’s biggest offseason event. Since 2015, more than 3 million fans across the country have attended Draft festivities in person.

Most recently, the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit attracted a record-breaking 775,000 fans in person and garnered more than 53.6 million total viewers over three days.

The 2025 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light will take place in Green Bay on April 24-26, 2025.

More information about the 2026 NFL Draft, including venues, fan activations, volunteer opportunities, community involvement and more, will be posted as the event approaches at VisitPITTSBURGH.com/NFL-Draft-Pittsburgh

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The NFL draft is heading to the Steel City.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, home to the six-time Super Bowl champion Steelers, has been selected as the host city for the 2026 NFL Draft, the NFL announced Wednesday at the Spring League Meeting.

"The NFL Draft is one of the biggest, most-anticipated sporting events of the year, and we're thrilled to partner with the Pittsburgh Steelers and VisitPITTSBURGH for our 2026 event," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement. "We have a unique opportunity to spotlight this wonderful community on a global stage, benefiting Pittsburgh's economy and entertaining football fans from all markets. We know this pride of Pennsylvania will shine bright in 2026."

Pittsburgh will be the 10th NFL city to host the draft since it became a highly sought-after road show in 2015. Since then, the NFL draft has made stops in Chicago, Philadelphia; Arlington, Texas, Nashville, Tennessee, Cleveland, Las Vegas; Kansas City, Missouri, and Detroit. The 2025 NFL Draft is slated to take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

"We are excited that the City of Pittsburgh has been selected to host the 2026 NFL Draft," said Art Rooney II, Pittsburgh Steelers President. "This will be an amazing event that will highlight everything the region has to offer on a national and international level. I truly appreciate the work that has been done by VisitPITTSBURGH, the NFL, local and state officials, and internally within our organization to accomplish our goal of being selected to host the NFL Draft. We look forward to football fans from all across the country coming to enjoy our city's culture while also showcasing our rich football history and tradition in the region."

Source: NFL

As noted by the University of Pittsburgh, Joan Gabel, the former President and chief executive of the University of Minnesota System and Twin Cities campus, became the University of Pittsburgh’s 19th Chancellor.  As such, Gabel became the first woman to lead the University since its founding in 1787.  On her 100th day of service as Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, she concluded her letter to Pitt students, faculty and staff with the following comments: “I’m proud to be part of a community that not only insists on a commitment to compassion, shared humanity, and mutual care and respect, but also humbly recognizes when we fall short and commits to doing more and doing better. It is an honor to walk with you, to support you, and to help ensure for everyone that anything is possible at Pitt.”  After reading the foregoing statements, I hadthrowback moment and said to myself, “Right on” and, in turn, provided Chancellor Gabel with that feedback.  Subsequently, she agreed to the following interview.

 Jack L. Daniel & Pitt Chancellor Joan Gabel One on One:

As noted by the University of Pittsburgh, Joan Gabel, the former President and chief executive of the University of Minnesota System and Twin Cities campus, became the University of Pittsburgh’s 19th Chancellor.  As such, Gabel became the first woman to lead the University since its founding in 1787.  On her 100th day of service as Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, she concluded her letter to Pitt students, faculty and staff with the following comments: “I’m proud to be part of a community that not only insists on a commitment to compassion, shared humanity, and mutual care and respect, but also humbly recognizes when we fall short and commits to doing more and doing better. It is an honor to walk with you, to support you, and to help ensure for everyone that anything is possible at Pitt.”  After reading the foregoing statements, I had a 1960s throwback moment and said to myself, “Right on” and, in turn, provided Chancellor Gabel with that feedback.  Subsequently, she agreed to the following interview.

JLD: As you know very well, we live at a moment when domestically and internationally we are desperately in need of the “commitment to compassion, shared humanity, and mutual care and respect.”  Accordingly, I am especially pleased that you agreed to this interview and I begin by asking the following question. As we go forth with you leading our major research University with national and international standing, what examples would you give to exemplify Pitt’s demonstrated commitment to our shared humanity?

CHANCELLOR JOAN GABEL: This demonstrated commitment to our shared humanity begins with our values as a university. We are leaning into these shared values as we refresh the Plan for Pitt, the University’s strategic plan. These values help to serve as guideposts as we work to graduate service-minded citizens poised to change the world for the good. They help to serve our focus on research, cures and therapeutics and in eliminating disparities in areas like health and the arts and sciences. They help to serve as an anchor for our commitment to equity and inclusion, elevating us into the community of belonging we aspire to be. They help to serve us in efforts to be good stewards of resources, ensuring that we do well by all those we serve. And they help to serve us in ensuring that anything is possible at Pitt, from work of the past to discover a polio vaccine, to a shared, future-focused vision to lead the life sciences century. 

JLD: As you know, I refer to the pursuit of equity and social justice as having been a North Star for me when I was employed at Pitt.  In terms of an institutional commitment to doing more and better when it comes to the realization of equity and social justice, how do you define your leadership roles as Chancellor?

CHANCELLOR JOAN GABEL: The University of Pittsburgh has an unwavering commitment to cultivating a community and culture where a sense of belonging is strong, and equity and inclusion are actively promoted. This commitment enhances our individual and shared success and makes for a vibrant educational experience. In this spirit, and my role as chancellor, I’m focused on 1) identifing the most important ways that we need to deliver for our students, 2) setting appropriate and achievable goals in those areas and 3) being transparent and accountable when we measure our performance on those metrics. Many of those metrics are going to be in areas that help define our progress with an equity and social justice lens, from whether our student body is reflective of our broader community, to whether we are adequately supporting students from all socioeconomic levels to graduation and beyond.

JLD: I deeply appreciate the inspirational statement, “anything is possible at Pitt.”  Borrowing from a Pitt Trustee Emeritus’ book title, Making the Impossible Possible by Bill Strickland, would you please specify a key “impossibility” that you would like to see Pitt make possible.

CHANCELLOR JOAN GABEL: The more I’ve learned about the world-class talent here and the work they are doing, the more I’ve found myself repeating the words: “Anything is possible at Pitt.” As we lean into this concept as a key value in our refreshed Plan for Pitt, there are so many possibilities — from delivering new therapies for Alzheimer’s disease to restoring lost vision for the blind. And we will continue to fine-tune these areas and resources so we can continue to deliver on what is possible at Pitt.

JLD:  I commend you for the ways in which you have conscientiously reached out to all of the University’s constituents.  Now then is the time for synergistic relationships to evolve between you and them.  With that in mind, how might a diverse group of alumni best assist you and other members of the Pitt community

CHANCELLOR JOAN GABEL: In our search to strengthen our mutually beneficial long-term relationship with alumni, we connect with them through programming, social events and networking opportunities, both around the world and online. We invest in and augment the value of that Pitt degree long after graduation by keeping them engaged and involved. This requires everybody to be involved, and I am proud to have engaged widely across our alumni community since my arrival, from meetings with individual affinity groups to broader engagement at homecoming. At each turn, we’ve been seeking alumni feedback relating to the strategic direction of the Unviersity, which has been invaluable in shaping what the plan will become. 

 JLD:  Thanks very much for taking time from your demanding schedule during these very demanding times to provide the foregoing information.

Jack L. Daniel

Co-founder, Freed Panther Society

Contributor, Pittsburgh Urban Media

Author, Negotiating a Historically White University While Black

November 17, 2023