Pennsylvania schools still pursuing solar projects despite federal tax credit rollbacks

WESA 9/10 11:32P Sophia Schmidt | WHYY

None of the schools that received Solar for Schools grants have told the state they’re pulling out due to federal tax credit rollbacks.

Pa. universities partner with Google to offer AI training

WESA 9/8 11:31P Rachel McDevitt

Pennsylvania’s state university system is expanding a partnership with Google by offering a course in artificial intelligence essentials.

Pittsburgh Public Schools could drain its reserves by mid-October if state budget impasse persists

WESA 9/8 11:30P Jillian Forstadt

The district applied for and received a $28.7 million advance from the state in order to pay debts on time, leaders warn relying on cash in-hand will only sustain PPS for so long.

Juvenile court referrals for Black girls at Pittsburgh Public Schools down 93% since 2019

WESA 9/7 11:34P Jillian Forstadt

While Black girls in Allegheny County are still 6.5 times more likely than white girls to be referred to juvenile court, that gap is significantly smaller than previously reported.

Allegheny County schools lead the state in potential for solar energy generation, advocates report

WESA 9/3 11:32P Jillian Forstadt

Advocates, politicians and school districts alike say boosting the county’s solar infrastructure could reduce air pollution from local power plants and alleviate district budget pressure.

Ecologist, author Robin Wall Kimmerer visits Environmental Charter School to inspire love of nature

WESA 9/3 11:30P Kalliyan Winder

Elementary students at Pittsburgh’s Environmental Charter School engaged with author Robin Wall Kimmerer this week. Kimmerer read from her new children’s book, "Bud Finds Her Way," which encourages kids to notice and care for nature.

‘Pandemic babies’ just started kindergarten. A pediatrician offers parents some advice.

WESA 9/2 11:35P Kiley Koscinski

"Pandemic babies," born in 2020 are heading to kindergarten this year. Much remains unknown about what long-term effect the pandemic may have had on these young students. A Pittsburgh pediatrician offers some advice.

Reporter’s notebook: Why WESA looked at Pittsburgh-area schools taking students to court.

WESA 9/2 11:33P Jillian Forstadt

While Pittsburgh school board members have maintained a pause on the issuance of citations for more than two years, other districts still file them.

How Pittsburgh organizations are diverting students with citations away from punitive pipelines

WESA 8/28 11:35P Jillian Forstadt

Organizations in the Pittsburgh region are working to help Black girls and other students with citations navigate what are often siloed systems. These groups work between judges and schools, as well as living rooms.

Brentwood school police have worked to cut down on student citations. A gray area still remains.

WESA 8/27 11:35P Jillian Forstadt

“We're constantly trying to [ask], when are these incidents happening? How are these incidents happening and how can we mitigate and get in front of them before it becomes a bigger issue?” said Brentwood director of school police and security...

Two students join Pittsburgh Public Schools’ board of directors

WESA 8/27 11:31P Jillian Forstadt

Orli Trumbull and Chris Graves were selected from a pool of 26 applicants to be the district’s first student board representatives.

What will come after Pittsburgh Public Schools’ moratorium on citations? Teachers want to know

WESA 8/26 11:35P Jillian Forstadt

While educators WESA spoke to said the moratorium hasn’t visibly impacted their day-to-day, they contend that student behavior and accountability remain issues at PPS.

Teachers union slams Pa. Senate Republicans over school funding delay

WESA 8/26 11:31P Jaxon White | WITF

On Monday, Gov. Josh Shapiro told reporters again that he and lawmakers were nearing a deal on the overarching state budget. He declined to provide details.

Allegheny County judges call fines a 'last resort.' Youth were still fined almost $100K last year.

WESA 8/25 11:35P Jillian Forstadt

In 2023 and 2024, Allegheny County magisterial district judges combined ordered children ages 5 to 17 to pay more than $190,000 in citation fines, according to data WESA obtained from the Pennsylvania Office of Administrative Courts.

Her Pittsburgh-area school took her to court at the end of senior year. She left with a $500 fine.

WESA 8/24 11:34P Jillian Forstadt

WESA’s analysis of school discipline data reveals six districts issued a combined 934 citations to students over three years, not including truancy offenses. Nearly one in five went to Black girls.